Women’s History Month: Skye Cronje
“Who is a woman who has inspired you in your life?”
Although there are many women out there that inspire me, I decided to dedicate this prompt to my grandma. A little less than a week after MidYear, my family put on a memorial service for my grandma, who passed away in 2020 from terminal cancer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to put on a funeral for my grandmother. My family and I contemplated putting on a memorial service for her once it was safe to do so.
Fast forward almost four years, my parents finally established a date for my grandma's memorial: February 25, 2024. Since I am serving in Apopka, Florida, just a short distance from the memorial's location, I knew I could attend the memorial.
At the memorial, my family, friends, and I got to reflect on my grandma and the impact she left on us. We all emphasized how selfless she was: she was heavily involved in her children's and grandchildren's lives and always opened her house to others. Like me, she was a heavy-spirited, community-oriented woman who believed in the power of education, service, and social change. Throughout my childhood, she volunteered with my schools on field trips, during events, or whenever she felt like it.
When I was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, she helped involve me in engaging activities and mentorship initiatives to help me feel included. She always supported all of my initiatives and extracurriculars that I was involved with. I learned from her what it means to serve and the impact that one person can have to make a difference.
While my grandma's memorial service was an emotional time, it allowed me to connect my grandma's legacy to the work I do now. I am currently an AmeriCorps member at St. Andrew Catholic School. As an Instructional Assistant, I provide students with academic and social-emotional support.
Although my grandma was not an AmeriCorps member, she still provided support to my classmates and me. She always embraced her energy and spirit, just like I do. If she were still alive today, she would be immensely proud of me for continuing her legacy and inspiring others to make a change and fight for their community. She continues to watch me empower other people during the school day at CreativeU, and in other communities.
She did something right by staying heavily involved in my life and looking after me. I will always keep my grandma's spirit etched into me as I finish my service year and study Human Rights at the University of Minnesota. Although I miss her and think of her every day, I see her as the most inspirational woman in my lifetime because she led me to where I am today.
Written by Skye Cronje
