Your Childhood Hero Or Role Model?

After reading several of Earth Kitt's obituaries, it made me start thinking about what a tremendous woman and role model she was. Her marvelous Catwoman portrayal was a bit before my time (although I do recall the show on reruns) but I have to admit that I thought Wonder Woman to be pretty tremendous. I always liked that belt on Wonder Woman

But, I have to say my biggest role model was my mother. She was a kind, loving and gracious human being. I was very fortunate to have her in my life as she taught me (or tried to teach, rather) to have empathy for other living creatures. She would see someone being a jerk and instead of the instant "what a jerk" dismissal most of us would have, she would ask herself, "I wonder what happened to him today to make him so unhappy".

She approached everyone and everything she did with a grace and kindness that I certainly lack But, as my dad said, people tended to underestimate her, she was so nice and kind but she had a will of steel. She taught me that the only thing that gets you down in your life is yourself. That I am the only person responsible for my behavior. And that no matter what life throws at me, I am strong enough to face it and grow from it.

She taught me so many valuable life lessons that I feel I owe the adult woman I am to her.

So, who was your childhood hero/role model? and what did you learn from that person?