It occurred to me this morning that the women who have made their mark in history all said “yes” to a new idea or concept that impacted the world we live in today. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became.

Here are a few of the examples I came up with:

1. Amelia Earhart said yes to adventure.

2. Marie Curie said yes to innovation.

3. Elizabeth I said yes to leadership.

4. Anne Frank said yes to courage.

5. Jane Austen said yes to blazing a new trail for female writers.

6. Joan of Arc said yes to heroism.

7. Mother Theresa said yes to compassion.

8. Rosa Parks said yes to civil rights.

9. Queen Esther said yes to preventing a genocide.

10. Grace Kelly said yes to elegance.

11. Eleanor Roosevelt said yes to human rights.

12. Harriet Tubman said yes to freedom.

13. Lucille Ball said yes to laughter.

14. Jane Goodall said yes to conservation.

15. Nellie McClung said yes to women’s rights.

16. Coco Chanel said yes to forward-thinking fashion.

17. Audrey Hepburn said yes to simple beauty.

18. Billie Holiday said yes to baring her soul through music.

19. Malala said yes to education.

20. Julia Child said yes to beginning a new career at 40.

Can you think of others?

On another (less historical) note:

YES #10 – Yes I will allow my 11-year-old earn some extra money by making Monday night dinner ALL BY HIMSELF. Never mind that it takes me twice as long to explain how to do everything from boil the water to toasting the garlic bread. He’s proud of himself when he finishes, and has raised a few more dollars towards his new Google Chrome Book. I say YES!

Yes #11 – Yes I will pay $800 for inconclusive tests on my six-year-old Beagle who should be in the prime of his life. Now we’re both in pain…

YES #12 – Yes I will  let my 13-year-old daughter crawl in the bed and sleep with me when her father’s out of town. Mind you this “yes” came at well past midnight, so I was pretty groggy… did I actually say “yes”. I can’t remember.