She inspired me because she was obviously tired of how her life was going and wanted to improve it.

Chris Pirillo and others are participating in an empowering women meme that’s passing through my reader right now.

Francine Hardaway just told me how she finds her inspiration: she helps abused women start businesses through her foundation. She told me how she was crying on Sunday after her latest graduation. How she watched a group of women, some of whom were straight off of major drug addictions, released from jail, or, worse, all that with the added problem of abuse.

She told me how this group inspired her through picking themselves up, starting a business, and getting some confidence that they can do something good in the world.

It’s women like Francine who inspire me and why I’m honored to be sitting across the table from her right now in Phoenix, Arizona.