Photo@joscottimages
The woman I admire did not have many natural advantages. Despite being short and plain looking, she ruled Russia for 36 years- Russia’s longest female ruler. The reign was so successful that she was named Catherine the Great.
She tried hard – and I do respect people who try! It is also such a hall mark of a successful entrepreneur. When she arrived from Germany to marry the prince Catherine could not speak Russian but she made herself learn the language. Apparently she walked barefoot around her room and got pneumonia while doing so. Although he husband died she managed to become Empress in her own right.
Russia’s Golden Age
Her time in power became known as Russia’s Golden Age. She revolutionised the country into a modern state. The Smolny institute – the first state financed higher education institute for women – was founded during this time. The country became stronger politically and economically and she worked with superb military leaders.
She had an eye for Art – (and a bargain) she bought up many art collections. Catherine instructed her ambassadors to bring back paintings from their foreign travels and started the Hermitage art gallery..
Catherine was interested in ideas.
She was interested in ideas and had a 15 year correspondence with Voltaire a French philosopher. It was during the time of the Enlightenment and she was open to the new ideas.
She sheltered Diderot who compiled the first Encyclopedia whose safety was threatened during the French Revolution.
A woman of courage and concern for others
But it is often human qualities which draw us to others. The personal acts as well as the outer success.
Catherine allegedly loved one man, Potemkin, and also had a great many lovers. She would get her maids to try them out first to see if they were good in bed. And after the affairs ended she did not reject them or penalise them, but was generous, giving them jewels or land. An unusually mature attitude in an extremely powerful woman!
But what really got me to admire her was a letter she wrote to Voltaire. She said that she was so saddened that her people kept dying of smallpox that she had the new risky inoculation of the disease..
after all why should my people do something I would not do so
so I had myself inoculated this morning to show them it was safe..
Choice of Dinner Service Design
When I was in St Petersburg in Russia I noticed a beautiful plate on display in the hotel reception
along with lots of deep green malachite and Russian furry hats. The price was exorbitant.
Later that day I passed a street trader and noticed the same design on some cups and saucers – at a much reduced price.
So I bought one. As the man was wrapping it in Russian newspaper he said “Ekaterina” .. which I knew meant Catherine. He turned the cup over and there written on the bottom were her initials and the year 1744.
So the fact that I loved the pattern of the dinner service felt like a final personal bond with someone I had always admired.
What makes you admire someone? What aspects make you warm to them in a more personal way?
It is often said that there are not enough role models for women in business today. My view is that if you can’t find someone to admire in your family, friends or when you look around in the world, choose a woman from history.
A special “Awareness Day” is a good time to focus the mind, so International Women’s Day is the perfect time to acknowledge a woman who inspires you.