March is Women’s History Month and in honor of that we’ve been taking some time to highlight and salute some female powerhouses that inspire us. There are just so many women out there doing incredible things, which is hard to remember when women tend only to get recognized for boobs (Heidi Montag), sex scandals (Tiger’s “friends”) and weight (Jessica Simpson). But they’re out there, doing their thing and inspiring us to break down barriers, go for our goals and be our best selves.

So who are these wonderful women? This week the CollegeCandy writers share who inspires them most. Who inspires you?

Kelly – University of Iowa: Definitely my mom. She didn’t go to college but still managed to work her way up the corporate ladder to a wonderful, well-paying job and always tries to instill the same values into me.

Ness – Sheridan: As weird as it sounds, probably Sue Johanson. I’ve grown up watching her shows, and I think she’s both hilarious and incredibly smart. I just wanna hug her!

Jessica – Hofstra: Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue. She’s probably the most powerful woman in the fashion and magazine industry. She might be tough but she has also achieved an enormous amount and I can only wish to be that successful.

Amanda – Reed: Michelle Obama! That woman is fierce. She went to Princeton and Harvard, has an awesome sense of style, and has the most amazing arms on the planet. Seriously, what is up with those? I’m jealous.

Lauren – University of Michigan: Definitely Tina Fey. She’s proved time and again that women can be funny. And she doesn’t use sex or cleavage to do it.

Alex – Lakehead University: Strong women inspire me. Any women who is a survivor inspires me :cancer survivors, war survivors, abuse survivors.

Caitlin – University of Alabama: My best friend inspires me most because she is so comfortable with herself and I wish I could be like that all the time.

Leah – Ryerson University: Stephanie Nolen – she’s currently in India reporting for The Globe and Mail.

Brithny – Duke: Beyonce, because she is truly an amazing role model. She works hard for everything she has, including her ass-ets.

Brittany – University of Saint Thomas: My Mother, and Chelsea Handler. In that order.

Nina – Michigan State University: Both of my grandmothers have their own inspirational stories. They immigrated from Italy and Syria as teenagers, and their lives have been so full of hardship and sadness, but they still find so much to smile and laugh about everyday! I’m lucky to have such a strong, positive female role models so close to me.

Jessica – Delaware: I know this is cheesy, by my mom inspires me the most. She has Chron’s disease and is constantly in and out of the hospital, but still manages to have a positive outlook and put others before herself. She inspires me to be more giving and selfless!

Cristina – Michigan State: I wish I could say my mom but I’m going to have to say Chloe Sevigny for sure.  Sorry ma!

Sarabeth – University of Texas: After the Oscar’s my inspiration comes from Kathryn Bigelow. She’s the first woman to win best director and she beat her ex-husband doing it. You go girl.

Meg – University of Delaware: I’m going to have to be cheesy and say my Mom. She’s worked really hard and had a sucessful career while balancing family life and raising three kids. I only hope to emulate her as I grow older.

Charlsie – Hollins University: I can’t pick one woman who inspires me. All the women in my life inspire me on a daily basis, whether it’s my hardworking mom or my young and optimistic sister. Even women who aren’t a part of my everyday life inspire me. Seeing the work that blogger Jessica Valenti has accomplished in the last few years inspires me to strive towards a higher standard of feminism, just as much as Lady Gaga’s unique style and personality reminds me to stay true to myself.

Emmy – Loyola University Chicago: I know this sounds cheesy, but my high school soccer coach is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. She balanced all the aspects of her life flawlessly and made me realize that I really can do it all.

Elizabeth – UC Berkeley: My Mom.  She’s sacrificed her life to better mine, and I can only hope to be half the woman and the mother that she is.

Rachael – University of Miami: My immediate answer is my mother since she’s handled so much in life with dignity and composure, and still manages to have a positive outlook on life, but I’d be remiss not to mention my other female inspirations: Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, former Secretary Madeline Albright, and Queen Rania, since all three are strong women with strong convictions and important issues that they specifically focus on (health care, peaceful foreign relations, and global education, respectively); Mary Wollstonecraft and Lucy Stone for defending the rights not only of women, but everyone; and, of course, Queen Elizabeth I, because a redheaded female with power is just awesome.

Christie – NC State: I know this is pretty cliche, but I’d have to say Mother Teresa really inspires me the most. She never thought about herself, and always put others first. She was passionate, and pursued her own goals rather than listening to what others had to say. Most of all, she was always kind to others, even if she didn’t feel like it. Who wouldn’t want to be like that?

Graduation may be an exciting milestone, but the ceremony itself is far from memorable for most people. Not only is sitting in a cap and gown for three straight hours uncomfortable (especially when it’s hot and that itchy rayon is rubbing against your neck), but the speeches are boring… and they go on forever. Oh, and leaving college is incredibly depressing.

But that whole “boring speech” thing isn’t the case for some lucky graduating classes. Yes, there are a select few schools in this country that had some pretty bomb diggity commencement speakers this year. Speakers who make me sorta wish I could sit through a three hour ceremony getting a weird tanline on my forehead from that ridiculous cap I’d be forced to wear.

Below is a list of the most bad ass commencement speakers of 2009. See, it’s not so bad being the class of ’09!

1) Notre Dame – THE PRESIDENT!!

2) Duke – Ms. Oprah “Free KFC” Winfrey.

3) St. Rose College – Jimmy Fallon (Ok, so he’s not the best at the late night gig, but anyone who can get some laughs during a grad ceremony has my vote.)

4) University of California, Merced – Michelle Obama (Maybe she let students in on her tricep secrets?!)

5) Marshall University – Chad Pennington…who most likely gave his speech through a megaphone.

6) UCLA – James Franco

7) Bucknell – Elie Wiesel (Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner)

8 ) Barnard, NYU – Hilary Clinton (Inspirational, motivational, and all done in some monochromatic pantsuit.)

9) University of Michigan - Google Co-Founder and world changer, Larry Page (Those students owe their entire education/abilities to stalk to this genius!)

10) Florida A&M – Bill Clinton (Who probably also partied it up with the students post-ceremony.)

I’m not exactly looking forward to that May day in 2011 when I’ll be sweating myself into oblivion under the hot Durham sun and saying hello to the big, bad real world. But, hey, if any of the guests above (or, um, Josh Holloway from Lost) make it to my graduation, I probably won’t be complaining!

George Anthony, grandfather to murdered Caylee Anthony, attemps suicide.

Kelly Osbourne heads back to rehab. In case you care about Kelly Osbourne…

We much prefer Shia LaBeouf this way.

Clinton’s senate seat is officially taken.

WTF is up with Joaquin Phoenix?

It’s all about the nude lip.

First Diane Sawyer, now Anderson Cooper? Those media peeps sure got down on Inauguration night.

Dear Sonic Burger, Please stop advertising in cities where you don’t exist!

Tips for getting your first vibrator.

The Inauguration red carpet was more glamorous than the Golden Globes!

Senate will not be seeing Caroline Kennedy anytime soon.

It’s a new semester and a time to make some changes.

Not everyone loves Slumdog Millionaire.

Looks like someone’s riding the Obama coattails.

Lindsay Lohan needs a cookie.

Is Diane Sawyer…drunk?

Avoid hibernation this winter season.

It’s been confirmed: Sex and the City sequel!

Ideas for getting that workout in, no matter how busy you are.

Cute and cheap shoe? Where do we sign up?

Personally, while I don’t agree with all of her views, I am a fan of Ann Coulter. I admire her courage to speak her mind without fear of consequence, and her strength to continue putting forth her opinion boldly even when a vast majority of Americans absolutely cannot stand her. I disagree with her on some of her stances, and my views tend to be less extreme than hers, but overall I support her whole-heartedly. So, with that in mind, I’m putting forth an opposing argument to the accusation that Ann Coulter is the anti-feminist.

In the early 1900s, when suffragettes were working tirelessly to grant women the right to vote, they were often treated horrendously by the male-dominated world around them. They were jailed for their protests, and force-fed when they went on hunger strikes to protest their treatment. The suffragettes were treated as deviants by society, and derided as being radical lunatics trying to usurp male authority. While they had a base of support from women, they were despised by male authority figures, and other women turned against them.

Ann Coulter would not want to be called a feminist, as Gloria Steinem would define it. She does not support abortion, has never burned a bra, and will never use affirmative action as a weapon to suit her own ends. She is not, however a force detrimental to women. If a political slant was removed from her writing, she would be hailed as a woman breaking the somehow ever-present glass ceiling, and her satirical tone would be portrayed as “edgy” and “revolutionary,” not “antagonistic” or “condemning.” But because she uses an “edgy” tone that goes against the grain of a sizeable portion of politically conscious citizens, she is demonized and slandered by her critics. In a liberal-slanted media, the negative focus is fixated on Ann Coulter’s blunt conservatism, and similar liberal pundits, such as the charming and soft spoken Arianna Huffington, are spared a harsh public eye and actual criticism of shallow, vacuous writing.

You may not like what Ann Coulter says, or writes, or thinks. But it is undeniable that in the formerly male-dominated world of politics, she is a force of nature. She speaks her mind without concern for popularity, without padding her words with compromises and concessions, and has never allowed a man to get the best of her in a debate. She even earnestly supported Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential campaign, turning against the Republican nominee to support a fellow “glass-ceiling demolitionist.”

You may call her series of books irrelevant, but the mere fact that she has authored six New York Times Best-Sellers is an indication that her opinion is far from irrelevant, and especially not in the area of American politics. Labeling her as batsh*t insane is a baseless act, and one that demeans politics from a mature playing field to childhood playground taunts. It is also a violently anti-feminist act, because it supports the idea that bold, vocal women should be stifled in their opinions and labeled as insane, social deviants incapable of independent thought. To criticize her for how she dresses and portrays herself, when she is styled more conservatively than the vast majority of our society, is wrong. It is in fact, a one- way ticket back to the 1950s.

Is she good for women, or bad?

Ann Coulter is good for women because she proves that a woman can succeed in a male dominated world without compromising her femininity in order to gain respect. She is strong, beautiful, and very intelligent, all traits that should be valued by women, and certainly meet the requirements of a female role model. She is not a twisted, bitter, and man-hating drone of Third Wave Feminism. Instead, she is a bold, vivacious, and well-educated woman who represents traits modern women should strive to achieve. Whatever opinions other pundits have about her, they still value her opinion enough to continually invite her on their shows to have intelligent, and, at times, loud debates with her. Her arguments are intelligently constructed and witty, which are received as abrasive and “crazy” to those on the receiving end of her opinions.

I am a conservative, Christian Republican, and I am very proud of Ann Coulter.

It marks the end of an era when American politics were plagued with apathetic citizens, who found nothing in the candidates inspiring enough to take a passionate interest in.

It marks the end of an era when race was an invisible barrier over politics, the end of affirmative action being a weapon against the status quo, and the end of divisions in America over race. Barack Obama has attained the highest office of the American political system, and to some people, the free world. There is no reason anymore why any good citizen of America should not be able to succeed in their goals and dreams through diligence and perseverance, because it has been proven that the highest goal can be accomplished by normal people.

Finally, it marks the end of an era when the media was an impartial observer in the American Political system, and when committed voters were educated properly about their candidates. During the 2008 election, there was an enthusiasm towards our democracy that has not been seen in years. There was also, however, a vast prevalence of ignorance on both sides, and it was spurred by a media that displayed ruthless bias not seen in years. Mainstream news magazine Newsweek published six issues with covers devoted exclusively to Barack Obama, five of them issues in this year alone. 2008 was a year in which public opinion was ruled by media portrayal of political affairs.

The wedding is overshadowing the marriage. The Inauguration has magnified into something bordering on a spectacle, with commemorative trinkets being hawked in every possible commercial medium, and huge celebrations being planned across the country. Happiness and joy at an inauguration are not bad things. Blind euphoria and an unwillingness to accept shortcomings in the president-elect are.

As a conservative and a Republican, I don’t have high expectations for the next four, and possibly the next eight, years. Seeing Obama’s face doesn’t fill me with pride and hope, but a nervous concern for our country’s well-being with an untested president. I could be wrong. With Hillary Clinton as his very intelligent, very acquainted with international diplomacy Secretary of State, we could finally help the world see us as more than a distant and isolated giant. Hillary’s participation in his cabinet gives me hope that America will at least remain stable in international affairs, if not find diplomatic success.

I don’t believe Obama is a terrorist foreigner, but I don’t have much faith in the presiding ability of a man whose career rises from the infamous political machines of Chicago, Illinois. He remains untested, having been nearly completely cushioned from criticism by a media that remains vastly doting upon him. Without having faced adversity against his policies from a large portion of America, I believe he lacks the realistic gravity taken on by politicians who must fiercely defend their policies from a critical media.

I’m happy that a majority of American citizens are bonding together in what must be a very happy time. I’m glad that patriotism is at a recent-years high, as well as pride in our country. But at the same time, I wonder in the back of my mind if such limitless support will blind Americans to the shortcomings of their chosen leader, and draw them heedlessly into the cult of personality maintained by the media and faithful supporters. I take the optimism and euphoria of the inauguration with a grain of salt, because such unified support and utter faith in national leaders has taken a very grim turn in several times in history. If we are going to serve a president with whom we are not well acquainted, we must be willing to call him on the mistakes he makes, and not cushion his errors to maintain high approval.

I applaud America for a historic decision in the elections, but I caution America against turning a blind eye towards the new President’s novice mistakes.

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I voted for Obama. Not because he was the hotter of the two candidates, but those pictures of him in a bathing suit didn’t hurt his cause. My love for Obama, however, runs deeper than simply his abilities to lead our country out of this current financial mess.

I think he’s hot. And if Michelle weren’t in the picture, I’d totally eff him.

He’s got everything I look for in a man. He’s smart (Harvard Law School grad), he’s a family man, he’s powerful, he can dance, he’s a great speaker, and he loves to play sports. He also happens to have some roots in the midwest, which just makes him a perfectly effable catch.

And he looks damn good in a suit.

Barack Obama has inspired people worldwide with his message of change and proved that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Is it so bad that turns me on? And that while he may be a bit busy at the moment (dealing with the American Automaker crisis and nominating people like Rob Namors, Peter Orszag and Hillary Clinton to his cabinet) I still wouldn’t mind sneaking into his office for a little eff sesh between meetings?

What? His time management skills are just another reason I want to eff him.

Rihanna rocked the AMA’s last night…

Playboy is really lowering their standards…

Twilight – box office hit, but total failure?

The people you hate-so-much-you-wanna-punch-them at the bar.

SNL decides white man can’t play Barack Obama.

5 must-haves for your holiday party.

Hilary Clinton is the new Condy!

Don’t know what to get your friends for the holidays? How about some poo-pourri?

Crappy economy leads to boost in early decision applications.

Not a morning person? Try these tips!

Um…this place is real?

The list contains some great and inspiring women, like Jane Goodall, Hilary Clinton, Nicole Kidman, and the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. These women are truly amazing and should motivate others, like myself, to get out there and try to change the world.

Well, maybe not change it, but make us a bit more focused on helping others than, I don’t know, what Juicy Couture sweatpants to buy next.

Unfortunately, the list also contains Tyra Banks. Yeah, I know; what was Glamour thinking? She is a nut. First, she tries to be a younger, hipper Oprah (which will never happen) and then she filmed a video in the bath? Um….

Is that something to aspire to? Is she really that inspirational that we can include her on the same list as Hilary Clinton? The ladies at Glamour think so, but I am just not so sure.

Anyways, even with Crazy Tyra, Glamour magazine deserves some major props for recognizing and highlighting these fabulous women. In a world full of magazines circling women’s cellulite and nit picking their faces without makeup, it is always refreshing to see some recognition for the amazing things we as women can do.

My best friend even has a Top 10 Melissa Tramp Outfits, and there are easily three Halloween costumes on there. (Editor’s Note: So 70% of those outfits were a normal day? Awesome.)

So, in order to keep myself off any Tramp lists this year, I decided to seek out non-slutty alternatives to my typical Halloween looks. After all, I’d much rather be recognized for my creativity than my boobs on October 31st this year.

Shocking, I know.

Marilyn Monroe

This may be a questionable choice to some, but I don’t find this trampy in the least. The pink number from Gentleman Prefer Blondes is iconic and it’s almost like a two-in one deal because you can say that you’re the fabulous Marilyn or Madonna.

Carrie

Halloween isn’t Halloween without a little fright and gore (note: not boobs and legs), and if you’ve seen the movie Carrie then you’ll know what this is allll about.

The Goddess

This version is called ‘Atlantis Queen.’ I love it not only for the pretty blue, but because it proves that to be a goddess you don’t need tons of cleavage or a super short skirt.

Gangster Moll

This version is free of garters or inappropriately short anything where you have to worry about who might be looking at your hooha when you bend over to pick up that beer pong ball off of the floor. And even better: pants and jacket = warmth! If you want to make this more ‘girly’, you can opt for the pink version of it.

Get political.

With either the right pant or skirt suit, you can easily be Sarah Palin or Hilary Clinton.

The Classic Witch

Long sleeves, long skirt and a high neck and still totally classic. If the typical witch isn’t your thang feel free to switch it up; I always loved the witch from Sleeping Beauty.

Or, if you’d prefer to steer clear of the classics, my three favorites that I’ve found so far are:

If you do decide to go with Twister, though, don’t let anyone put any hand on yellow. Or blue. Or green.

[All photos from buycostumes.com]