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Your e-mails: The women who inspire you

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(CNN) -- As part of the "Inspire: Women of Influence" special report, we asked CNN.com readers to send in their thoughts about some of the most influential women in their lives. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited.

Growing up white in a middle-class family in upstate New York, I want to thank the public school teacher who assigned a biography of Harriet Tubman to my fourth-grade class. I was astonished at her story of physical and moral courage. Despite being small in stature and suffering the lifelong effects of a terrible head injury, she put herself in mortal danger again and again to do what was right and what she could in a world filled with injustice. It made me believe absolutely in women's strength and moral compasses. It also inspired me to have high expectations for girls and to admire all that we accomplish, despite continuing violence and injustice against us.
Gretchen Van Ness, Boston, Massachusetts

Ingrid Newkirk of PETA has influenced my life in more positive ways than any woman I can think of. She's educated me about all forms of animal cruelty and also about maintaining better health. Her dedication is undying and whether one agrees with her or not, she's influenced millions of Americans in more ways than they probably know. She's responsible for better standards in numerous industries and for raising the bar on quality of life for humans and animals as well as ethical standards.
Danielle Stallings, Los Angeles, California

As an educator, trying to find female role models for my students has become very hard to do. One particular woman stands out in my mind: Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is a role model to women, African-Americans, Southerners, teachers and people of all walks of life. She has given money to numerous charities and clubs, and encourages our youth to pursue their dreams. Oprah focuses on the importance of education, family values, self-improvement, and self-worth. She promotes literacy among adults with her reading club, and gives authors a better chance at becoming successful in the increasingly competitive writing world. We don't read about her in the tabloids. Oprah gives all and expects nothing in return, except that the recipients of her gifts use them to maximum potential.
Sarah Battin, Tucson, Arizona

I think the most influential women I have known are those who are single moms or single head of households. The dedication and love they give their children humbles me and makes me want to be a better father.
Dennis Ferreira, Phoenix, Arizona

Maxine Waters would be my pick for the most influential woman in my life. Mrs. Waters is willing to take on the most unpopular, underreported issues affecting the black community today. Her voice is one that should be listened to by everyone, especially those who are concerned about human rights. Her agenda not only includes issues affecting Black Americans, but those in the entertainment industry, women seeking office, as well as issues affecting her home state. She is a congresswoman for all people.
Wendy Betts, Winter Springs, Florida

Laughter -- that is so important in today's world. Nobody stops to laugh. Ellen Degeneres inspires me to laugh. She shows me that women can make it in this world. She is a wonderful influence on so much of today's world. She influences me to be me. She seems fun and someone I would love to meet and laugh with. She has had so many let downs, but yet there she is bouncing back, and people just love her.
Kristin Olsen, Clinton, Tennessee

Winnie Mandela fights for what she believes in -- the love of her people, her nation, her country and her culture.
D Lewis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I was born in the Deep South in 1942 and was told from a young age that women were born to get married and be mothers. While I had other dreams and goals, I was told they weren't an option. Then one afternoon in my freshman year of high school, I found a book written by the late Eva Peron. I had no idea who she was but borrowed the book. Reading "My Mission In Life" changed my destiny forever. I saw this beautiful woman and read about all of the things she had accomplished in her life -- from growing up dirt poor to becoming the first lady of Argentina. From that day forward I changed my life completely. Over the years I accomplished everything I set out to do. I traveled all over the world on my own. I lived and worked in foreign countries. I met fascinating people who changed my thinking profoundly. If it had not been for Eva Peron and her book, I can't imagine what my life would have been like.
Bunnye Hearne, New York, New York

Dr. Jane Goodall has been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember. She didn't ask to become an icon, but her strength, dignity and compassion have made her a trailblazer among women.
Trish Conner, Barrackville, West Virginia

Angelina Jolie gets my vote for being one of the most influential women in the world. While other movie stars give plastic smiles and donate money to charity, Jolie has used her celebrity status to raise awareness for the plight of the African people. She tirelessly devotes her energy to making a difference and actually sets foot on the continents she champions.
Bevan Calo, Virginia Beach, Virginia

In 1979, I was working in Congress and met my idol, a 70-something former Vogue model who smoked a pipe and was already in Doonesbury. Yes, the Honorable Millicent Fenwick, congresswoman from New Jersey, joined me in an elevator full of French women while I entertained them in French and then sent me an autographed photo of herself "avec mes meilleurs souvenirs." She later ran for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey, and after her defeat, served as ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization in one of her two favorite cities, Rome, the other being Jerusalem. She died in 1992, a legend to me for a life in public service spent on a higher calling than most.
Dean Monroe, Washington, D.C.

Discovering the culinary world of Julia Child in the '60s made the greatest impact on my life. Why? She raised cooking to an art form; inspiring me to host memorable dinner parties, create recipes myself and explore the amazing culinary delights of other countries. Her joy of food was contagious. I developed a passion for cooking that I passed on to my family and friends. A generation later, my children and my nieces delight in new cuisines and the pleasure of feeding others.
Patricia Judson, Juneau, Arkansas

Maria Montessori was an extraordinary yet controversial woman/doctor/educator/and peace activist for her time. She left a legacy that reaches all modern societies of today and impacts the young minds that are the future of the world. She opened minds and doors with her tireless work on behalf of children in the slums of Calcutta who were deemed mentally retarded and unnecessary to educate. A true activist for peace.
Christine Vinson, Bastrop, Louisiana


SPECIAL REPORT

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