Ava Thomas: These are the women who helped shape my story

And with this column running on Mother’s Day weekend, that feels especially fitting.

My mom is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever known. This past Christmas, she celebrated 40 years of sobriety. Forty. Years.

That milestone represents resilience, perseverance, humility, courage, faith and grit. It represents getting back up when life knocks you down. It represents choosing your family, choosing yourself and choosing hope over and over again.

What she overcame is extraordinary.

Then there’s my grandma, the woman who helped raise me. She was my safe place. My biggest fan. My perpetual lighthouse in every storm life sent my way. She had this remarkable ability to make you feel deeply loved, fiercely protected and completely capable all at the same time. Even now, years after losing her, I still find myself asking, “What would Gram want me to do?”

And my aunts. My mom was one of nine children. Seven girls. Imagine the strength, noise, laughter, opinions and love that existed in that family. I got to live with my Aunt Jean and my Aunt Nancy, but so many of them had a hand in guiding me, correcting me, encouraging me and shaping the woman I became. I was surrounded by strong women long before I understood how rare and valuable that was.

And now, I get to watch it continue through my own daughter, an incredible mother and woman whose strength and resilience make me proud every single day. And my granddaughters? Those two little girls inspire me constantly. They make me want to be better, love harder, lead stronger and leave behind something meaningful for them. I also have two nieces I absolutely adore and fiercely believe in. Watching them grow into young women is such a gift.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve also become deeply aware of the women outside my own family who left fingerprints on my life.

One of the best moms I’ve ever known babysat me and later babysat my own children too, my “Auntie” Char. She’s one of a kind.

I had a close friend who lost her only son far too soon. I have long admired the mother she is. I cannot imagine enduring that kind of heartbreak with the grace and strength she continues to show.

I think about my good friend who fought so hard through miscarriages and IVF, all for the chance to become a mom.

And then there was my best friend from middle school. I swore her mom was the real-life version of June Cleaver. Warm. Kind. Steady. The kind of mom who made everyone feel welcome in her home. When she passed away, I was heartbroken because losing women like that feels like losing a piece of comfort and goodness in the world.

Today, I look around at my own friends, the moms balancing careers, marriages, children, aging parents, practices, homework, meals, stress, worry and exhaustion, and somehow still showing up for everyone around them.

I have the privilege of working alongside women who absolutely crush it professionally while also carrying the enormous emotional weight of motherhood.

I see you too.

The truth is, the list of inspiring women is endless.

That’s what Inspire has always been about. Leadership, not perfection. Impact, not titles. Heart, not recognition.

It’s about the women who quietly, and sometimes loudly, change the lives around them every single day.

The women who lead.

The women who endure.

The women who nurture.

The women who sacrifice.

The women who rebuild.

The women who believe in others before they believe in themselves.

And here in Lincoln, we are surrounded by those women every single day.

They are raising families. Running businesses. Leading nonprofits. Showing up for neighbors. Holding communities together.

So this Mother’s Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about the women who shaped your story.

And then nominate them.

Because there is a woman in your life right now who deserves to hear the words: “I see you. What you do matters. You inspire me.”

The nomination process is simple and open now at InspireLincoln.com. Your nomination is the essential first step in ensuring these stories of resilience and kindness are heard.

Join us in September

Mark your calendars for a day of connection as we return to our community’s gathering place to honor this year’s nominees.

* Nominate now: InspireLincoln.com

* Event: Wednesday, Sept. 23

* Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena

* Doors open: 11 a.m.

* Event starts: 11:30 a.m.

If your organization would like to support this mission of highlighting the extraordinary women who strengthen Lincoln every day, please reach out at inspire@journalstar.com or call 402-473-7138.

Let’s allow the light of this year’s honorees to join those of the past to inspire us all. We look forward to reading your nominations and celebrating the women who make a positive impact on the lives of others.