Inspirational Auntie Role Models
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By Brianne Spinelli
Brianne Spinelli is an “Auntie by Relation” (ABR) to Julia, Alexis, and Lucas. Connect with her on Twitter at @freetobebree or here on SavvyAuntie.com, member name: AuntBree.
We all spend so much time, aspiring and working to be the ideal role model in our nieces’ and nephews’ lives that we don't always give ourselves a second thought. Aunties need their own role models too! Here's a look at a few PANKs (Professional Aunt No Kids) who fit the bill.
Kelly Clarkson
The one and only "Miss Independent" is a role model not only for aunties but for women everywhere. After having become the very first winner of American Idol, Kelly used her newfound fame as a springboard to promote girl-power. She has become synonymous with self-empowerment through both the powerful messages she conveys in her songs and the overall air of confidence she exhibits in her everyday life. The ever-effervescent Clarkson is also a giver in supporting multiple charitable foundations, including March of Dimes, Houses of Hope, Save the Children, and Live Earth, among others. Meanwhile, she makes sure to take time to spend qualAuntie time with her little loves—even going so far as to invite her nieces onstage during performances.
(Dare you to watch this and not feel an overwhelming sense of auntie pride in Kelly!)
Dolly Parton
You may know her from her glitzy costumes, heaven-high hair-dos, and um, buxom figure, but did you also know that the Queen of Country Music is also one particularly devoted auntie? Dolly is one of twelve children, so she is just riddled with nieces and nephews! Some even affectionately call her "Aunt Granny" because she helped raise some of her younger siblings after she got married. Plus, she is godmother to Miley Cyrus. When she's not busy singing her heart out, writing songs, acting, or juggling her hoards of nieces and nephews, Dolly is an advocate for literacy. Through "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library," a worldwide organization that distributes free books to children enrolled in the program, Dolly is working to promote of a love of reading while also supplying the books to encourage that love.
Ellen DeGeneres
Since becoming a first-time aunt in 2009, Ellen can't seem to talk enough about her nieces, Eva and Perry. Ellen is a role model in her upbeat personality. It is extremely rare to find Ellen downtrodden or sullen. She can take any situation and shine a positive light on it, oftentimes through the use of humor. Ellen has been a gay rights advocate since coming out in 1997. She has used her daytime TV talk show as a platform to help others in need, reward those who have performed outstanding acts in their communities, launch the careers of burgeoning artists, and provide the nation with an hour of lighthearted escape every day.
Oprah Winfrey
Let's be honest: who wouldn't want Oprah to be their aunt? The woman who started her life wearing potato sacks because her family was so poor has become, though her own hard work, the richest self-made woman in America, according to Forbes. Aside from the extravagant gifts she's been known to bequeath on her friends, family, and audience members, Oprah is an unyielding humanitarian. She is constantly working to make the world a better place to live in through philanthropic endeavors via Oprah's Angel Network. Oprah is truly an inspiration in that she had nothing yet built this amazing empire and is now using it to give back to those who need it. In addition to her biological nieces and nephew, Oprah is an ABC (auntie by choice) as well as godmother to both of her best friend Gayle King's children.
Personal Inspirations
Many of us have had some wonderful aunts grace our lives who demonstrated what it truly means to be a role model. For whatever reason, these women have deeply impacted our lives forever, leaving a legacy imprinted on our hearts.
Who has played a role as an inspirational auntie role model in your life? What factors make her stand out among the crowd for you?
Published: November 20, 2012