The queen has died. Days of mourning and remembering mark this moment in history for not only her country, but the whole world. Queen Elizabeth II was one of five female British monarchs and the longest reigning.

As a former British literature teacher, I appreciated the Elizabethan period named for Queen Elizabeth I, most notably Shakespearean plays and poetry. I loved teaching novels such as Great Expectations from the Victorian period. Yet, I find myself even more mesmerized by this period of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the impact of this woman’s life.

In 1953, being a woman in leadership would have been challenging, but Queen Elizabeth’s leadership involved political peers such as Harry Truman and Winston Churchill. At the age of 25, I can’t even imagine the courage and strength it required to take her rightful place in what would have been deemed a man’s world. She also maintained the expectations of royalty while also caring for her family in periods of acceptance and adaptation. She remained married to a husband who was unfaithful. Her daughter-in-law, Diana, made history by divorcing the queen's son and heir to the throne. Her other son faced scandals, and her grandson stepped away from royal duties. Yet, the queen provided an example of a woman of grace, dignity and tradition throughout all her days.

As one of her final acts, the queen appointed the third female Prime Minister in history. CNN indicated she “presided over a turbulent age of women's liberation, expanding gay and lesbian rights, de-industrialization and immigration that changed the face of her country.” She remained unmoved over years that spanned the Cold War and Northern Ireland's civil war as well as Britain's entry and exit from the European Union. As I witness history in the making, I am reminded of the important role women have played throughout history. It inspires me to remember the impact I have as a woman. In leadership, a woman’s voice does have significance. Additionally, my family looks to me for care and guidance as they go through inevitable ups and downs. I also make a difference in the community in which I serve as times change. A woman’s life well-lived with dignity and grace will leave far-reaching impressions.