From the Editor: Be inspired

Over the last month, I’ve greatly enjoyed watching the winter Olympics. When I was a kid, I would look forward to these grand competitions between the greatest athletes from each country. I also am an unabashed sucker for the soft-focus profiles of our Olympians. I want to hear from their childhood best friend, coach or parent about the obstacles they overcame to get to that level. I love hearing their stories.

This year, I was particularly struck by Elana Meyers Taylor and Kaillie Humphries, two women who brought home medals for Team USA in the women’s bobsled events. To be over 40 and still be the best from your country in any athletic pursuit defies belief. I’m just a bit older than them, and I’ll find new aches and pains from sleeping in the wrong position. They’re hurling themselves down an icy chute at upwards of 80 mph, with only a few inches of Kevlar between them and the banked walls. Seeing what they’ve accomplished inspires me to do more. Maybe not to hop in a bobsled, but certainly to push through some discomfort in my next workout or better focus my efforts in my daily tasks.

I think you’ll be similarly inspired by our Leading Women of Horticulture. March is Women’s History Month in the U.S. and March 8 is International Women’s Day. That’s why for the second year in a row, we’re focusing our March magazine on the excellent women doing great work in our industry. We’re excited to bring you a series of articles and videos with the Leading Women of Horticulture. We’ve been interviewing women at all levels of the nursery and greenhouse business about their work and experiences in the green industry. Their stories are amazing and inspiring. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about their journeys.

Do you know any amazing women who should be featured in this issue next year? Email me below and tell me all about them.