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I have always looked up to amazing women. Female scientists, politicians, designers, humanitarians, artists, writers, public figures etc. Women who have conquered illness, climbed the highest mountains, helped build hospitals for dying children etc. I would read about their lives and be filled with utter amazement and awe.

Tonight, this blog posting is dedicated to Oprah Winfrey. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in the American history and was once the world's only black billionaire. She is also, according to some assessments; the most influential woman in the world.

After 25 years of laughs, tears and aha! moments :) The Oprah Winfrey Show is coming to an end. It is rare that a queen is also a revolutionary, but the enigmatic and unprecedented career of Oprah Winfrey allows her to justifiably claim both of the titles. For the past quarter of a century, and more than 5,000 episodes; she has not only consistently dominated the ratings, but she has also redefined what television talk shows should be about. She has championed the higher aspirations and purposes of the ordinary folks, preaching & cajoling her millions of viewers to “Live Their Best Lives”. To me, Oprah has been all things to all people – as a healer, confessor, martyr, seeker, avenger, celebrity, benefactor, teacher and guru. She has provided viewers with a comprehensive instruction manual to life, in all of its messy splendor. Her idea of reinvention, of taking control of your own life and being empowered is so American – but it’s what the pilgrims and all of the other immigrant waves were all about. Her genius was how brilliantly she packaged that into the daily lives of her viewers.

I remembered, when I was in Murdoch, before my tutorial classes start, I will be at the computer lab finishing off my assignments & projects. Once done, I will go online and catch up with some of the Oprah talk shows episodes. What I have admired strongly about her is how she overcomes the obstacles of being an African American, of being a woman and how to remain relevant & self-sufficient throughout her whole career while overcoming some of her personal struggles which she publicly shared with everyone. I am very sure that it was not an easy journey for her to ensure that her award winning day time talk show consistently remain the highest-rated program of its kind in history, in a field which is widely dominated by white males; where as she is a black of ample bulk. Which of course, she makes up for in plainspoken curiosity, robust humor and above all empathy.

Oprah has taught everyone to be special. A desire to do something significant. A hunger to be someone amazing and inspirational. To live an admirable life and to make a difference. I like finding inspiration in what she and the many others women out there have done…or are currently doing. It’s amazing to see creative products and creative people at work.