How Kate has inspired me....

[vanynessa]

I was going to put this under reasons we love Kate, but I realized this was more about our connection to her rather than what we like about her, so here I go with a new thread:


When we truly admire someone and really listen to what they have to say, it can have a strong impact on our lives. From the little things to life changing experiences, how has Kate changed/affected/inspired your life?


I included in my scrapbook to Kate a letter explaining how she inspired me to go into the science field (thanks to Janeway) and particpate in theatre (thanks to Kate). Last night I was feeling kind of intimidated and puny, but had an audition for Little Shop of Horrors with a theatre alliance in Winston Salem. I had serious doubt I would get in b/c the director only needed 4 girls, and we had a stage full of people. I actually felt sick before I went. Then on the drive there I thought, "what would Kate do?" If she really wanted a role, she would take it; it's that simple. She'd say, "sick?......the show must go on", and I actually started feeling better. When I read for a part, I thought of Kate, thought of the role I really wanted (I wanted to be Chiffon, one of the 3 girl singers- they were always my favorite!) I felt good, confident.......Katetastic. And it paid off!!! I got the part and rehearsals start tonight. I really hope I get a chance to talk to Kate in NYC; I soooo wanna thank her for inspiring me in my audition!!

[DDL]

That's awesome news, Van!

She's inspired me to keep working at something even when I get discouraged. She didn't give up and she gave her work all she had. It encourages me to do the same.

[Mel]

That is awsome!!!

[vanynessa]

Thanks for sharing, DDL. Allright, now I want to hear everyone's stories...........I know there's probably some really good ones. (Especially you, JF, since you were so young when you began to admire her.)

[Janeway Forever]

Hmmm.....this might take a while. The way I view it, I have had three seperate and distinct Kate "phases," so to say.

I first found Kate when Voyager aired. Growing up in a Star Trek home, we watched TNG and DS9. Voyager was a natural progression. I, was immediately attracted to Janeway and my admiration for Janeway turned into an admiration for Kate.

The same year that Voyager aired, my world nearly fell apart. I was just becoming a teenager, which is a catastrophe all its own. But to make things worse, my parents were in the middle of a very bitter break up. Voyager, and Kate, became my refuge. Kate was my safe spot. If that makes sense. She gave me strength and courage to make it through the maze I found myself in. Whenever I felt like things were just too difficult and I couldn't do it anymore, watching Janeway would give me perspective. If she could save her entire crew, I could face whatever challenge was infront of me. Watching Kate made me a stronger, tougher, more able person.

When I hit my senior year, and both of my parents remarried, I stopped watching Voyager. It wasn't until that point that I really hit my rebellious streak. If there was trouble, you'd find me in the middle of it. I had no time for Kate (so to speak).

My second "phase" started when I got pregnant. My pregnancy was one of the most isolating, lonely times that I've ever experienced. (That is in no way a reflection of my son, or the way I feel about him. It's simply a reflection of where I was in my life). The only reason I made it through with my sanity intacted was because of Kate.

I remember coming home from school, and within the first week, having dug out ALL of my old Voyager tapes. Again, my strength and courage to face the unknown infront of me came from Kate. Again, she was my rock. When I faced the uncertainty of single parenting, I reminded myself that I had an allie in Kate. That if she could make it through, I could.

Once Richie was born, and I moved, and my life got very hectic, Kate slipped to the background again. She was always there, in the back of my mind, but she was quiet (so to speak).

When they began releasing Voyager on DVD, that was when Kate came back full force for me. And ofcourse, it was only a few months prior to my father and I getting into a huge arguement, which resulted in my having no where to live. For the third time, as I faced a huge unknown, I drew my strength from Kate. And i've been drawing it from her ever since.

She is there, every single time that I need her!!!! Not only that, but she has had a tremendous effect on who I am as a person. Having admired her for as long as I have, and starting at such a young age, I can honestly sit here and say that were it not for Kate Mulgrew, I would not be the person that I am today. If I had to sum it all up in one sentence, I guess that sentence would be: "Kate Mulgrew is my guardian angel."

[Rowan]

Thats amazing JF and well done Van.

My route to loving Kate was a little more convoluted and didn't happen in full force till I was in Uni. all on my own in a different city and I started getting an amazing amount of pain in my back and hip ( its under control now). A lot of days I couldn't move so I started to watch Voyager when it came on TV and from there got the videos. My motto started to be 'If Janeway can get back from the DQ then I can get out of this bed!' It worked. It still works.

Then coz i'm nosey I started looking up the actors and found Kate to be just as inspiring as Janeway, more so in some ways. She was the reason I picked up my medication and made the trip accross the Atlantic to New York on my own!

Kate is my fight and courage and sometime quite literally the reason I get out of bed in the morning.

[vanynessa]

Wow, your stories are AMAZING GUYS!!!! Thanks for sharing. Have you guys ever considered writing her a fanletter describing how's she's inspired you (if you haven't already). If you guys wanted me to, you can email them to me and I will print them and give them to her in New York (your stories have made me even more determined to give her "our gift" in person!)

[Janeway Forever]

I have written her a fan letter before, explaining it. However, if you are willing to make her a little booklet, I would GLADLY write something up. Hopefully, something more poised and gracious than what I've written here......

[vanynessa]

Yes, I can do that (and she would love it; I think It would mean ALOT to her). Anyone else? The more the merrier! My sister did not get a chance to write one in Ohio because I told her about it at the last minute. I put a picture of her and her daughter in the scrapbook (and her daughter drew a picture of Janeway), but it was not the story that my sister told me on the drive to meet Kate. My sister entered the Air Force at a time when there were very few women in the higher ranks. The long and the short of it is that when Voyager aired, Kate changed many peoples' way of thinking (both men and women) about high-ranking women officers. It no longer seemed impossible to have women admirals (and now, they're grooming a friend of my sister's to be the 1st 4-star woman admiral in Air Force history). Also, there was a time when my sister was a single Mom (she had her first daughter alone); Kate was a great, strong role-model during that time in her life. I would love to include my sister's letter.

Lastly, I do have another Kate inspiration story, but even better it involves this forum, too. Several months ago I was having problems at work (coworkers, boss, yadda yadda). I fell into a strong depression (to the point where I hated my job, slept 3-4 hours a night, alienated everyone at work except for my best friend, and almost got fired.) I was driving to a play rehearsal one night. I wanted to skip my exit; just keep driving all the way to the coast, with what money I had left and just stay there until I ran out.........the hell with my house, my bills, my job, my family, my responsiblities. I didn't care if I lost my house. Then I remembered my poor dog sitting home, by himself, noone to let him out and use the bathroom..........so I nixed the thought........urge; VERY STONG URGE. Soon after, I started getting on this forum more frequently and reading everyone's post about Kate- how great she is; how inspiring; how excited JF, KJ, and B were because they were going to meet her. It reminded me about Janeway and what I loved about her. The cloud hovering over me slowly started to lift. I reread some Kate stories and discovered her wonderful quote about getting over ourselves and making a difference. The exact quote escapes me right now; I looked and looked for it tonight and can't remember where I read it (.........do you know the quote I'm talking about, JF? If you do, let me know where I can find it; I'd really like to copy it.)

I was being so small, so selfish. I had a job, family, health........and was feeling depressed because I LET work and the people there get to me. Then I was dying to see Kate and just knew work wouldn't let it happen because.........well, because I thought my coworkers hated me. I gathered up the courage to ask off (this was at the last minute,too). They knew meeting Kate was important to me. In my amazement, they were willing to fill in/ rotate people- do what they had to to make it work for me to go, and THAT meant the world to me. My relationship with the others improved over time, and now I actually like going to work again. One day I will leave this job for a better, higher paying one because that's what Janeway would do- not settle for less. For right now, I'm happy because I at least will still have friends from this job when I leave, and I didn't burn my bridges.

So thanks guys for the inspiration!!!

[Rowan]

Thats very cool Van.

I sent a fan letter and got a signed picture back..not what I expected but cool coz I didn't have that picture. Didn't some of our letters go to Ohio? I know I sent one to someone but my final coursework is taking up valuable Kate/Forum/Janeway room in my head.
Course if I made that bit up in my own little happy place, or even if I didn't, then i'd be happy to do another one.

P.S. I'm glad ur doing better now Van and u definately looked happy to be at the con in the pics!

[vanynessa]

Yes, MUCH BETTER NOW. Giddy with thoughts of New York, Kate, and a whole new experience (not to mention great friends I can talk to here on the forum.) I'm not sure if that letter thing got off of the ground for Ohio (I think it was Katefan that was organizing it- Katefan, if I'm incorrect, let me know. )

That's sooooo cool about you getting a picture.......hey I think I replied to your myspace page yesterday, btw. Which picture was it........and you said she signed it??!! Awesome!! If you'd like to write another fan letter, I'd be more than happy to include it.

[Janeway Forever]

I wrote her a fan letter when I was a teenager, and also got a generic letter back and a signed picture.

[vanynessa]

That's so neat; I didn't think stars did that anymore. Then again I've never tried (and Kate isn't just ANY star.............)

[Janeway Forever]

No...Kate has a true appreciation for her fans....and I've heard it said many a times that she reads every bit of fan mail sent to her....something about "if people can take the time to write their hearts, I can take the time to listen." How is that for amazing???

[KateJaneway]

Okay Van...I wanna write one...can I just mail miine to you though
?