Legacies help us with our goals after we’ve passed because they have the power to inspire action and the give our ideals an chance to live on through others. Given the magical potential of legacies, we wanted to support and foster conversations around legacy building and below you’ll find some of those conversations.

Collette Lee

I hope to be remembered as a kind, hardworking individual who brought an artful approach to everything she touched. My work in design and photography is rooted in the belief that visuals have the power to evoke emotion and thought.

I frequently struggle with the tension between pursuing a creative career and grappling with the ethics of consumerism, as I mainly work with brands. But at its best, art and design transcend commerce. Particularly in beauty and fashion, I think they can celebrate the rituals and expressions that make us human. Read more>>

Hannah Elliott

A lot of my design work and poetry is based off of my identity as a woman. I’ve seen firsthand the unfair treatment and injustices women face socially and politically. I want my work to not only inform the public about what women go though, whether it’s the pink tax, menstruation/pregnancy, or even just being treated like less than in our fields, and try to make a change one small action at a time. I want to be remembered as someone who genuinely cares about others and wants to make the world a better place. In today’s world, it can sometimes feel like the cool thing to do is not care, but I so desperately want the world to be kinder to the next generation of women than it has to me and the women who came before me. Read more>>

Bre’Anna Lander

I want to build a legacy reflecting the fruits of the spirit. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control. I want my legacy to bring inspiration. After I am gone, I want people to remember me for always pushing the fundamentals of reading. I want them to remember me for my reserved yet get it done spirit. Read more>>

Kelsey Holmes

I desire to build a legacy of possibility and empowerment.

As someone who barely graduated high school and really didn’t have any idea what they wanted to do with their life and thus put herself in a small box of what was possible, I desired to be an inspiration of what’s possible for girls and women.

I want people to remember me for seeing the best in them, for seeking the best in them. For helping them see their talents, skills, creativity, and inner empowerment. Read more>>

Katy Metzger

Although I don’t really expect to become a household name or experience any true fame, I do hope that those who find and read my books discover inspiration to overcome any dark experiences in their lives. I wrote The Talismans of Teregrin series to connect with and encourage ordinary teens. I wanted them to understand that they don’t have to be “special” to make a difference, that courage and hope are more powerful than they think, and that their feelings not only have validity but can also be a source of strength. So, I hope my legacy is an inspiring one. Read more>>

Crystal Behe

The legacy I plan on leaving behind is a world that no longer blames victims of abuse/trauma and instead shows empathy and kindness. A legacy that offers support, love, and, above all, a safe place to share your story and not be judged. I want my brand to represent hope resielnce and rebirth. The legacy I hope to leave behind is one where society no longer blames victims of abuse and trauma, but instead demonstrates empathy and kindness. I envision a legacy that provides support, love, and, above all, a safe space for individuals to share their stories without fear of judgment. I want my brand to embody hope, resilience, and rebirth. Read more>>

Nicole Yuengling

At Your Signs to Stay, we aim to make a positive difference in the lives of others. It’s easy to feel isolated and like you’re not enough, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You are loved, and you have a purpose here. You’re not alone in your struggles – we all face our own battles every day. Our mission is to remind everyone to take it one day at a time and that it’s okay if surviving the day is all you managed. Whether you see someone wearing our apparel or come across our social media, we hope you’re reminded that you’re never truly alone. Read more>>

Rose Mailutha

I hope my Legacy isn’t just about the material things I leave behind when I am gone—it’s about how I shape the world while I am still here. It’s in the little things: the way I treat others, the lessons I pass on, and the love I give freely.

I’ve often wondered what kind of imprint I’ll leave behind. Will it be in the words I’ve spoken, the kindness I’ve shown, or the encouragement I’ve offered to someone who needed it? More than any material success, I hope my legacy is one of connection, resilience, and inspiration. Read more>>

Talisha Elger

I want to leave behind a body of work that is bold, unsettling, and deeply human—stories that challenge, and resonate long after the credits roll. I hope people will say I was fearless in my storytelling, that I wasn’t afraid to dive into the dark and the strange, to push boundaries, and to make people feel something real. Read more>>

Shamirr Kennedy

I hope to build a build a legacy of a collected group of culinary influenced individuals throughout the country. Allowing them to share their experiences, skills & techniques, cultures, and food. Read more>>

Jeanine El Melki

I envision my legacy as one that transcends generations, marked by a stadium proudly bearing my name, a testament to my impact and presence in the community. More importantly, I want people to remember me as someone who truly cared, who was present in the lives of others and dedicated to ensuring that not only my children but also my grandchildren are well taken care of. My dream is to provide the world with beautiful homes that are not simply structures, but comfortable and functional spaces where families can thrive. I aspire to foster an environment where love and comfort are paramount, creating homes that evoke a sense of belonging and warmth. Read more>>

Sophia Walters

Legacy is not something I dwell on heavily, but a friend once told me their greatest fear was failing to reach their full potential. While I strive not to live in fear, the thought of leaving this world without fulfilling my full purpose often weighs on me. My concern is not whether I can excel at what I do—rather, it stems from the necessity of forging my own opportunities, as so many Black women and women of color in America must. I do not fit the conventional image of someone leading a rigorous academic institution. Let’s be honest—I am young, I am a woman, and I am Black. But what I do hope is this… Read more>>

Brenda L. Yoder

The last chapter in my book “Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life,” is about heritage and legacy because it’s the legacy of others who have shaped my life that I reorient to when life feels out of control or clashes with my values. The legacy I’ve been building in my life values people. I want to make a positive impact on people in the spaces where I work, play, or live–the kind that makes someone feel seen, heard, and valued. I also want to leave a legacy about essential and eternal things, not temporary or futile. In a world accelerating at breakneck speed and where the foundations of stability seem to be falling apart, I want to remind people of timeless, grounded principles that don’t change. I want to be a sheltering tree to those around me. Read more>>

Niki Heinkel

I hope to be remembered as someone who never gave up. I hope to be remembered as someone who overcame every challenge they were presented with and through these challenges inspired and encouraged others to push forward. Life never stops coming. No matter where you start, or how many opportunities you’re gifted, there are times when it gets hard. Things happen that you don’t expect. We grieve, we get sick, we suffer through tragedy and we still keep going. I’ve been knocked down time and time again, but through it all, I’ve still found reasons to smile. I’ll still encourage others even at my lowest. Read more>>

Sherrie Parchman

The funny thing about this question is that when people see me out and about, the most common thing I hear is, “You’re the Crab Lady!” While I love cooking seafood, wings, and soul food, I hope to be remembered not just for the food, but for the way I treat my customers and my genuine love for meeting new people. It’s the connections and the positive impact I leave on others that I want to be remembered for. Read more>>