Hi, this is Alice. We were so moved last week by the courage and the moxie that defined

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life, that we felt inspired to listen to recordings of other women in the Academy of

Achievement's Audio Archives, women who were also born into humble circumstances

but grew up to break ground for the rest of us. I chose the word

moxie by the way because it came into use right around the time Justice Ginsburg

was born as if anticipating the force of her character and

Moxie is what the three women will hear from today have in spades.

Three very different women.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court.

Irma Baumbeck, the hilarious and massively popular syndicated columnist, Hillary Swank the actor who delivered

devastating performances in Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby. It may seem like an unusual combination of women granted,

but I think you'll hear the thread that runs through what they had to say.

No interviews this episode just straight inspirational talk.

This is what it takes, a podcast about passion, vision, and perseverance from the Academy of Achievement.

I'm Alice Winkler.

Had a maid, this child is gifted.

And I heard that enough that I started to believe it.

If you have the opportunity, not a perfect opportunity, and you don't take it, you may never have another chance.

It all was so clear. It was just like the picture started to form itself.

There was no way in which a lie could prevail over the truth, darkness over light,

death over life.

Every day I wake up and decide today I'm going to love my life. Decide. My advice is if they're going to

...