When I think about being a modern woman in this century and the continual battle was face to define ourselves and find a balance my grandmother Norma always comes to mind. A pioneer of what it truly meant to be a modern woman. From a small town in New Zealand my grandmother was only one of two females in her medical year. She travelled to Cambridge finishing her PhD as the first ever married couple to do so and with a young baby. Despite the conservative and traditional times my Grandmother always put her boys first and ended up raising the three of them as a single mom while also being a doctor and then CEO responsible for building the first of it's kind hospital for children and adults with special needs and rare conditions. She worked so hard to ensure her children and their children could enjoy the fruits of her labour. Yet despite the fact she had achieved so much, she always remained humble and calm. Family always came first and she was often frugal with herself. Yet one of her passions passed down to me was a love for handbags. Which is why this bag for me encapuslates our grandmother who for me will forever be a continual inspiration and reminder that we as women really can have it all.