In celebration of Women’s History Month, North Gwinnett Voice staff member Denise Rumbaugh reached out to women whose accomplishments have been influential and impactful in several areas, including education, politics, media and business. She asked each woman about other women throughout history they admire, the most influential women in their own lives, advice they would share with women and girls on achieving their own goals and dreams and the importance of celebrating women’s history. The NGV has compiled their responses in celebration of Women’s History Month and in honor of these incredible women leaving their marks.
Angela Duncan is a Gwinnett County Superior Court judge.
Denise Rumbaugh: Is there any particular woman or are there women in history you admire? What do you admire about her or them?
Angela Duncan: Harriet Tubman made a big impression on me as a child. Her daring, courage, strength and service to others made a huge impact on me. She inspired me to have courage in the face of adversity and to serve others. One of my favorite history lessons. I also have always looked up to women in the military.
DR: Who has been the most influential woman in your life and why?
AD: My Mother. My Mom has always been my biggest inspiration. She had a difficult childhood, overcame it. She had me at 18 and was an amazing mother. She is the foundation for everything I am and everything I have. She taught me right from wrong, the golden rule, and unconditional love. My Mom also had an incredible work ethic. She could organize anything. I did not get that gene. Despite her struggles, she gave me everything she had in love and in kind. She passed away in August of 2021 and I feel her loss everyday.
DR: What advice would you share with women and girls on working to achieve their goals and dreams?
AD: Be yourself. Be true to yourself. Accept others for who they are if you want others to accept you. Set goals for yourself, both personal and professional. Write them down if you can. Small or large goals will keep you moving. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure means you are trying. Its also when we learn the most. Surround yourself with people you look up to and motivate you to be better. You are not alone unless you choose to be. We only get one life, love, laugh a LOT, have fun and work hard and you can be and do anything.
DR: What do you think is the importance of celebrating women’s history?
AD: The importance of celebrating Women’s History is to inspire others. We all struggle one way or another in life, even those who are “successful”. Recognizing Women’s History not only highlights those successes but also shows what these people went through to accomplish the things being recognized.
