[Besides being the month of St. Patrick's Day and CollegeCandy's editor's birthday, March is Women's History Month. Instead of honoring the great women of our past, however, we at CC want to honor the women they inspired and who now inspire us. Every Wednesday this month we are going to highlight a woman who is currently dominating her field and showing us that we can really do anything. These women are strong, powerful, famous, and doing their thing even better than their male counterparts, so let's give them the attention they deserve!]

First up is Chelsea Handler, a self-made celebrity who is smart, beautiful, hilarious, and full of talent. We could probably list a billion reasons why we love this woman (including her shoe collection, her interviewing skills, Margarita Thursdays…), but here are the 5 biggest reasons Chelsea Handler has inspired us.

1. She didn’t go to college
Obviously, we think college is an amazing, worthwhile experience (hence the name of the website – COLLEGECandy). But it’s amazing to me that Chelsea was so motivated, driven, and fearless that she didn’t feel the need to go the traditional college route in order to pursue her dreams. And she’s made herself an empire! (Not to mention she pulls a much larger salary than I’ll ever get with my college degree).

2. She’s A Renaissance Woman
Best-selling author, actress, TV host, and stand-up comedian!? Chelsea does it all, and does it well.  Both of her books – Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, and My Horizontal Life – were on the New York Times Bestseller List (and she has another book slated for release in March, yayy!), and she won Bravo’s “A-List Funny” Award in 2009. 

3. She’s Transformed Late-Night Comedy
While Conan and Leno were battling over late-night, Handler was sittin’ pretty and watching her show get more and more successful, recently being picked up through 2012. Her ad revenue has even surpassed that of comedian powerhouse, Steven Colbert! Not only that, but she generously uses her success as a platform for up-and-coming comedians. While most comedians hate sharing the spotlight (lest someone looks funnier than them), Chelsea’s round table showcases comedians that she considers friends and she even brings them on tour! Comedians like Heather McDonald, Loni Love and Brad Wollack have all been hired for more gigs after being seen on Chelsea’s show.

4. She’s Got a Killer Bod
And she works hard for it! Between her hectic schedule for the show, writing books, and making media appearances, Chelsea makes time for hour-long workouts at the gym private and Pilates classes. She eats a very strict diet and counts calories, allowing her to indulge in her one true love: vodka. (Honestly, what college woman can’t relate to and respect that?)

5. She’s Not Afraid to Be Herself
Anyone who’s seen Chelsea on TV or read her books knows that her no-holds barred sense of humor is what gave her success. She speaks candidly about pretty much everything and isn’t afraid of offending anyone. She also exudes confidence and isn’t afraid to use her sexuality, having appeared in both Maxim’s Hot 100 and on the cover of Playboy last year. Chelsea doesn’t try to fit a mold to be successful in Hollywood and look at her now, on the top of her game.

Chelsea Handler inspires me to be myself and not to let others tell me what to do or who to be. She is a unique personality in the entertainment industry and a breath of fresh air. I can’t think of a better woman to kick off this month with, and I really think the world needs more people like her to step into the spotlight!

I’m having a tough time admitting this, mostly because I think she stole my life, but I have a huge crush on Chelsea Handler. I was introduced to Ms. Handler a few years back when my friend shoved her first book, “My Horizontal Life” in my hands and screamed, “this was your idea!”

Yes, it’s true. I had always planned on compiling my one night stand stories into a book, but I needed a few more hump sessions to complete it and Chelsea beat me to it.

I wanted to so badly to hate what I read, but I couldn’t. The book was laugh out loud funny, and I’m pretty sure I bothered everyone else in Starbucks when I read the entire thing in one day. When I finally reached the end, I determined that Chelsea and I were soul mates.

Since then, Chelsea has written another NY Times Bestseller and got her very own show, Chelsea Lately, on E! Some people think she slept her way into that late night slot (her BF just happens to be in charge of the network), but I don’t care. If it took a little pork-sesh to bring this woman to TV, then so be it. If anything, it only proves that the woman is as good between the sheets as she is behind the round table.

Chelsea Handler is hilarious, beautiful, witty and has a killer sense of style. When I tune into her show nightly (I haven’t missed an episode in months), I am as entertained by what she says and does as I am by the gorgeous and drool-worthy stilettos on her feet. Stilettos that she uses to effectively stomp on the hopes, dreams and careers of Hollywood’s most ridiculous characters.

And even they find her funny.

Chelsea Handler proves that comedy isn’t just for the boys/ugly women. She’s the total package and if it takes sleeping with her to become her full-sized sidekick (she’s already got a mini-friend), I’ll do it. Maybe we could pen that story into a book together.

Not so fast, girls. I am here to show you some books that are totes worth reading when the 347 pages of History/English/Psych reading are finished. Books that will make you laugh, cry, and change the way you think. Good books (which I know is hard to believe when you think of the stuff assigned for class). Stick with me and you will spend a lot less time watching Real World reruns, and a lot more time enjoying books again.]

Chelsea Handler is quite a character. She’s a TV host, stand-up comidienne and author. And if you’ve never heard of her it’s about time that you had.

“Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea.” is considered a memoir. More accurately, it’s a collection of some of the most hilarious stories from Chelsea’s life, almost like a sneak peek into her diary. But let me warn you, these are not your average diary entries.

A far cry from “Dear Diary, today I met the most wonderful boy,” or “We had tuna casserole for dinner,” each one of Chelsea’s stories is utterly and completely hilarious. I mean, this is a book you do not want to read in public, because you will find yourself laughing out loud and that always gets looks. Not to mention the fact that people will ask what you are laughing at and you’ll have to explain a sitution involving Chelsea breaking out of prison.

And it’s not just the stories that shine; Chelsea is a fantastic storyteller. She writes so cleverly and hooks you right from the beginning. Take my word for it. I managed to polish this one off in two days, reading it in between classes and before I went to bed. You absolutely do not want to put it down; it’s just that good.

Needless to say, I am pleasantly surprised with this one. I was expecting a horribly written, semi funny read, as you usually find with comedians attempting to pen books. However, Chelsea defied my expectations. I loved this book and urge women everywhere to pick it up.