From Lensa: 

A woman who has had an impact on my life is Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Khadija was one of the first women who accepted Islam as a religion and the truth. She was born in the sixth century CE to merchants of the Quraysh tribe, who ruled Makkah (Mecca). Khadija inherited her wealth and used it to conduct trade after her parents and the husbands from her first two marriages died. She then used what she earned to help orphans, widows, the poor, the sick, and others in need.  

Khadija was known as a powerful, smart, independent woman, and many men wanted to work for her. This is how she met Muhammad (SAW)* — she later proposed to him, they married and had six children together. When he started getting more messages as a prophet, Khadija was there to support him, assure him, and financially support him. She used her power and influence to protect him from dangerous people. When their home became too unsafe for Muhammad (SAW) to remain, she left with him even though it ended up taking a toll on her health. Her illness progressed, and she later died at the age of 69 in 619 CE. Muhammad was devastated by the loss of both Khadija and his uncle in the same year; the year 619 is known as the year of sorrow in recognition of the two beautiful people who helped him in the beginning of his prophethood. Khadija was revered in his memories for the rest of his life and was held as a great model for both men and women for “intelligence, virtue, courage, and devotion to family and to God.”  

Khadija encourages and challenges me every day because of how close she was to her religion — she gave up everything just for the sake of it. As a successful businesswoman, she further expanded a thriving family business with her skills and compassion. She was a very powerful woman even though women at that time were valued less than men — until Muhammad came and taught people how important women truly are. Her dedication to Islam moves me daily to become a better Muslim myself.