Before the Monarchs achieved WNBA stardom, they were young women looking for inspiration. Now that they are professionals they know that they are an inspiration to younger generations. In honor of the Monarchs Women & Inspiration Night this Saturday, find out who inspired the Monarchs and what it means to them to inspire others.

Chelsea Newton:
Who are some of the women who have inspired you?
"Of course my mother. There are a few more people like my high school English teacher, she was a big part of the reason why I went to Rutgers for college. And my college coaches. I always say those women because they really molded certain parts of my life and are a big reason why I am here now."

How does it feel to know you are inspiring a lot of young women and that a lot of them look up to you?
"It feels good to be in a position for others to see you as a role-model and just to know that you can make a difference in somebody’s life by doing the right things and showing a good example on the court. It is also important to show what it means to be a hard worker. It just feels good and I’m glad I can be one of those women that young girls look up to."

How important is it to have a female role-model in your life?
"Extremely important. I grew up watching Michael Jordan and a lot of NBA players, and you really can’t say I want to play in the NBA because it is not feasible. To see somebody and to set a goal that can actually be attained by working hard and doing what you have to do, is good for younger girls.

Kristin Haynie:
Who are some of the women who have inspired you?
"My mom has inspired me a lot, just because of her work ethic, always working for us kids. Also my grandmas have had breast cancer and some other cancers and they have lived through it. They are tough women and they have inspired me as well."

How does it feel to know you are inspiring a lot of young women and that a lot of them look up to you?
"It feels good to have people look up to you. I remember when I was little looking up to some of the women that went to Michigan State and it feels good to be that same role- model for somebody else. It feels good when you just say “hi” and you can make someone’s day. It just makes you feel good inside."

How important is it to have a female role-model in your life?
"I think it’s very important. As far as the WNBA, we show really good teamwork. I think it’s good for little girls to see that."

Ticha Penicheiro:
Who are some of the women who have inspired you?
"My mom, but both of my parents were great. They inspired me to play basketball and gave me all the support that I needed. I know a lot of times parents are hard on their kids, but my parents have always been so supportive. They supported my decision to travel from Europe to come to the US to follow my dreams. My mom has always been the main woman in my life. She worked hard to put food on the table. Her personality is great."

How does it feel to know you are inspiring a lot of young women and that a lot of them look up to you?
"It feels great. When I was a little girl I always wanted to be like Magic or Michael Jordan. There were not many female basketball players or non-basketball players. These days you don’t have just the WNBA, you have Danica Patrick and the Williams Sisters. There are so many women being successful in professional sports and it’s great for little girls out there to know that if we can do it, they can do it too. It’s just a matter of believing in your dreams, working hard and hopefully one day they’ll get their chance."

How important is it to have a female role-model in your life?
"It’s very important. I look out in the stands and I see little girls and sometimes little boys out there wanting my autograph and wearing my jersey. It’s a great feeling that people look at us WNBA players as role-models. It makes you want to play hard and hopefully little girls will aspire to be you."

Kara Lawson:
Who are some of the women who have inspired you?
"First would have to be my mom. I owe a lot to my parents. They were my foundation, how they raised me, how they taught me the little things; how to talk to people, how treat people, just life lessons that I hope are still in me and I hope that I am exhibiting now that I’m grown and out of the house. Coach Summit when I was in Tennessee had a big impact on me not so much by enhancing the things that my parents have taught me, but by teaching me how to deal with being a basketball player, being in the public eye, handling success, and understanding that there is a right way to treat people. Sometimes she wouldn’t do it by words, but I would just watch her handle certain things. For me I’ve always tried to surround myself with good friends, families, and teammates. I also learn a lot from my teammates, from the way they handle situations on and off the court. We have some great inspirational stories on our team. We have players that have been through a lot or that are going through something; like DeMya is right now going through a season-ending injury, and how she is handling the situation by staying upbeat. I always put myself in her situation and ask myself: “Could I stay that positive if I were going through the same thing?” A lot of times without even acknowledging it, you can look at your peers; how they deal with their daily struggles and find a way for them to inspire you."

How does it feel to know you are inspiring a lot of young women and that a lot of them look up to you?
"It makes me feel good. Every time I play a game, I run out there and there are people cheering for me and wanting me to do well. When I see a kid wearing my jersey or wanting me to sign their jersey, I get a good feeling, and that feeling never gets old. It’s not like I’ve seen my jersey two hundred times and it gets less and less special every time. I see that and I feel good. And as a player you have a lot of responsibility as a role-model for a lot of people. That’s something I personally take very seriously and just trying to make the right decisions because I know I have been led down the right path by a lot of people and one of the biggest things you can do is try to set the right example and hopefully one day people will say Kara Lawson was my inspiration."

How important is it to have a female role-model in your life?
"I think it’s very important. I know when I was growing up I wanted to play basketball, but my first love was track and field. I think the big reason why was because it was the only sport where you actually saw women. It was in the Olympics, it might have only been every four years, but I love Florence Griffin and Jackie Joyner because I saw them out there competing, having success, and winning gold medals. So those made me a competitor in school and I wanted to strive to be like them. So now for girls growing up to have so many different outlets where they can see different types of sports and different types of women competing whether it be the WNBA, college sports, softball, or soccer, it’s great. With different outlets kids can dream and set goals, maybe achieving some and maybe not achieving others, but that learning process of being disciplined and trying to reach something is key."