Fifty Creative Women Who Inspire & Inform

Fifty Women Who Inspire & Inform, Oh My! Handmade

Happy belated International Women’s Day! To celebrate I rounded up a list of 50 women who have inspired and informed me this year + who I think everyone should know and love. From well known artists and authors to entrepreneurs doing their very best in the face of daily challenges, these women all contribute to a diverse, creative and inspirational generation of women I am thankful to be part of and am lucky to raise daughters in. I could have added 100s of names to this list, it barely scratches the surface of the creative women doing great work so be sure to meet us in the comments to connect us with who inspires & informs you!

50 Creative Women Who Inspire & Inform

  1. Alex Franzen: Writer, speaker, educator
  2. Alida Kinnie Starr: Musician, artist, activist
  3. Amy Ng (PikaLand): Illustrator & teacher
  4. Amy Quarry (Small Town Love): Shop local innovator, community builder
  5. Amy Turn Sharp: Poet, rebel, writer, teacher
  6. Arianne Foulks (Aeolidia): Website/branding guru, small business resource, educator
  7. Arounna Khounnoraj (Bookhou): Artist, maker, designer
  8. Brene Brown: Educator, writer, shame-destroyer
  9. Christa Couture: Musician, survivor, writer
  10. Christina Platt (Bamboletta): Doll maker, community business owner
  11. Cody Nations (Lu & Ed): Monster maker, creative champion, entrepreneur
  12. Colleen Attara: Storyteller, eco-artist, creative visionary
  13. Danielle Maveal: Maker, educator, animal activist
  14. Darice Pauselius (Pauselius): Designer, all around creative lady
  15. Dianne Gilleand (CraftyPod): Maker, educator, creative advocate
  16. Dorkys Ramos (Porcupine Hugs): Illustrator, writer, cancer survivor
  17. Dyana Valentine: Oracle, educator, why-finder
  18. Elsa Mora: Artist, paper-cutter, inspiration
  19. Emily McDowell: Illustrator, designer
  20. Gayle Tzemach Lemmon: Author, women’s advocate, entrepreneur
  21. Gennine D Zlatkis: Author, artist, illustrator
  22. Glenis Redmond: Poet, artist, activist
  23. Heather Davulcu (April Heather Art): Artist, illustrator
  24. Isa Maria Seminega: Entrepreneur, creative, educator
  25. Jan Halvarson (Poppytalk): Creative curator, blogger, designer
  26. Janine Vangool (Uppercase Magazine): Editor, magazine creator, art advocate
  27. Jenelle Montilone (Trashn2Tees): Change maker, upcycled business creator, educator
  28. Jennie Perillo: Author, cook, survivor
  29. Jessica Hische: Designer, educator, artist
  30. Jessica Nichols (Sweet Eventide): Photographer, IP activist, cancer survivor
  31. Joy Charde: Surface pattern illustrator, master doodler
  32. Kal Barteski: Artist, brush script painter, IP activist
  33. Karen LePage: Master seamstress, kind clothing advocate
  34. Karen Walrond (Chookooloonks): Photographer, writer, educator, author
  35. Kari Chapin: Author, creative advocate, community builder
  36. Kathleen & Tara (Braid Creative): Graphic designers, educators
  37. Kathy Sierra ( Serious Pony): Tech innovator, programmer, author
  38. Lela Barker (Lucky Break Consulting): Entrepreneur, educator, wholesale Jedi master
  39. Lynn Russel (Satsuma Press): Designer, letterpress printer, inspiring mama
  40. Mariko Paterson (Forage Studios): Ceramic artist, creative powerhouse, entrepreneur
  41. Mati Rose McDonough: Artist, painter, author, educator
  42. Michelle Ward (When I Grow Up Coach): Career coach, author, educator
  43. Pema Chodron: Spiritual teacher, author, leader
  44. Rena Tom (Makeshift Society): Creative innovator, community builder,  entrepreneur
  45. Shauna Panczyszyn (Shauna Parmesan): Hand lettering extraordinaire
  46. Tara Swiger: Writer, teacher, Starship Captain
  47. Tif Smith: Designer, letterpress printer, tenacious entrepreneur
  48. Tracey Selingo: Writer, educator, entrepreneur
  49. Zoe Rooney: Web developer, entrepreneur, coding rockstar
  50. YOU: Creative, kind, intelligent, resourceful, unique, talented YOU!

 Who inspires & informs you? Let us know in the comments!

49 comments

    • I couldn’t possibly make a list of women I admire without having you on it Zoe, you’ve been a defining mentor for me in so many ways & I happen to know you are the best kind of hero-one who does what needs to be done to the best of her ability every time. That is pretty darn magical to me <3

  1. Cody says:

    I am so, so very humbled and honored to have made this list!!! ♥ Jessika, you are such a shining inspiration and model of kind-heartedness, knowledge, love and honesty to me. I have so much respect and mad love for you, friend! I am so glad the universe brought us together! ♥

    • Lovely friend it is no wonder when I put the call out on FB for suggestions of amazing women that your name came up a few times-I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again-Cody, you are a bright light for our community/the maker world. Your business is adorable but you are exceptional & I’m so thankful we connected! I can no longer imagine life without your sweet self brightening it up <3

    • Of course!!! You have been such an inspiration to me + so many in the OMHG community & beyond. I’m endlessly impressed by how you marry your ethics with action and continue to grow your business in a way that feels right for you. I adore you + your work always!!!

  2. Dorkys Ramos says:

    Goodness, I’m also humbled to be included in such a badass list! To be surrounded by so many women that I turn to for inspiration is quite incredible. Thank you so so much for creating this list and introducing me to not only other creatives that I haven’t “met” yet, but also other survivors. This is such a gift!

    • You are a total badass Dorkys & have so totally earned your place on this list! I love how you took your cancer experience and used it to fuel a more creative, connected & joyful life-you inspire me like crazy gorgeous! Hope to watch you kicking ass for many years to come 🙂

  3. colleen attara says:

    This day has been a special one indeed and then to be on this list! With these amazing ladies. I am overwhelmed with all the goodness. Thank you Jess for all you do here everyday for so many. Ripples become huge waves of change…so much love. xo

    • You inspire & inform with all you do Darice in such an honest, accessible + kind way. I am honoured to count you one of my closest friends & give thanks that this place connected us, I can’t imagine life without you! Thank you for everything but most especially for being your radiantly wonderful self <3

    • DANG IT! The biggest problem with lists like this is I inevitably miss people who are so important like your wonderful creative self! Sorry I missed adding you to this list but know you are on my internal list of ladies I couldn’t live without! Adore you!

  4. Emily McDowell says:

    OMG! I missed this list (and my inclusion on it!) until now! Thank you so much, Jessika– what an honor to be included among so many phenomenal women. And thank you, also, for shining a light on the folks I didn’t yet know about!

  5. Jenelle Montilone says:

    You’ve put together such an amazing list of woman- so many of them inspire and motive me every single day (including you!!) I’m humbled to be included here and looking forward to meeting more passionate makers, innovators, and mamas who are making a difference. Most importantly thank you Jess for always believing in me and allowing me to share all of my big scary ideas out loud.

  6. dyanavalentine says:

    brilliant–and so honored to be included. love learning about humans new-to-me. giant hug. Lisa Fabrega (just dreamt for her retreat last week in Panama) is doing some very interesting leadership work.

  7. Jessica Nichols says:

    It’s been a week since I originally saw myself on this beautiful list of women, many of whom I have followed and admired for years. I am still in awe of my own presence here and full of heartfelt gratitude for meeting the OMHG just about one year ago. It’s a brilliant, kind, loving and supportive community doing so much good in the world. Truly honored and humbled, thank you Jessika!

Comments are closed.