This is Women’s History Month: a month to look back on the change that has been established, a time to celebrate the power of women, and a moment to reflect on the progress to be made in the future. Since the earliest celebration which started as International Women’s Day on March 19th 1911, people all around the globe now celebrate and appreciate the contributions of women and girls throughout the month of March.

This year, to celebrate women, Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care decided to ask some of the women leaders of our hospital a series of questions that inquire about topics from aspirations to inspiration and dreams. What we received were comments that were inspiring and carefully thought-out which show how truly incredible the women of MVAH are:

What woman inspires you and why?

  • “Lucille Ball! As a child, she brought laughter to my evenings.”
  • “Sandra, my mother in law. She was the first HVAC licensed woman in California.”
  • “Honestly, any woman that is strong, opinionated, and goal driven is a woman that inspires me!”

What qualities make a great leader?

  • “Someone firm but fair who has good communication.”
  • “A great leader should have a few qualities such as humbleness, communication skills, & honesty.”
  • “Honesty, integrity, humility, always strives to help people reach and achieve their goals, they must also possess a clear vision.”

If you could meet anyone, man or woman, living or dead, who would you want meet?

  • “Family history is everything to me. I would love to transport to my family’s farm in Cuba, Kansas, sit on the porch and just chat with my great, great grandmother about life.”
  • “I would have loved to meet Selena Quintanilla.”
  • “My paternal grandfather and grandmother.”

Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change? Why?

  • “That women are seen as weak individuals when they express pain, frustrations, etc. This is frustrating because as a woman I think that I have a high tolerance for physical and emotional pain because I was always fearful to be seen as weak. This is also frustrating because men can’t express their feelings out of fear of being ridiculed or compared to women.”
  • “People may think that women are weaker than men and not very smart. But women are breaking down barriers and accomplishing so much and overcoming many obstacles.”
  • ” That women are looked at like they are crazy for strongly expressing their opinions.”

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  • “I would like to learn more about science specifically geoscience, I have always been interested in our planet and would love to know more about it.”
  • “Fire Dancing! I just think it is beautiful to watch! And yes, women are amazing at it!”
  • “I would learn how to scuba dive!”

What do you believe will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?

  • “Some people believe women can’t be good leaders or even be the president of the United States, because women are weak or too emotional. Women will have to shed that stereotype and prove that they can be leaders.”
  • “I think the biggest challenge for the next generation of women will be mental health and how women see themselves.”
  • “I hope my daughter and her generation are able to still desire the insatiable feeling of putting sweat and tears into something to find success.”

We hope that you enjoy our women’s history month celebration and don’t forget to check back all month long, for more in depth interviews with each of the women leaders of MVAH!