It’s something I hadn’t considered in quite some time, but the answers, those women of inspiration, are with me everyday and they are the reason I’m able to write this blog.

As I rode with my co-workers to San Francisco, in my head I envisioned our luncheon filled with the usual mingling and small talk. The guest of honor was Robin Roberts, and although I knew this would add something more exciting to the affair, I still figured my biggest thoughts would surround whether to have chicken or fish.

My mindset started to change as we entered the historic Palace Hotel. Words cannot describe how spectacular it is. I felt special just being there and it was the perfect backdrop for what was to come.

The reception was underway and the room continued to fill. “Blasts from the past” I like to say. So many familiar faces were streaming in, and although not everyone’s name came to mind, I knew there was a connection. Somewhere over my career and the WNBA’s 12 year existence, these people had influenced my life.

It was when the big names started entering that it began to sink in how special and important this was: Robin Roberts, Annie Meyers, Teresa Edwards, WNBA stars old and new to name a few and it was the arrival of the National Team and coaches that put the icing on the cake. As the crowd clapped and cheered, these groups of who’s who in women’s hoops, had smiles from ear to ear and it was inspiration being shared at its finest.

As the luncheon got underway, the toughest task was getting everyone seated, as we were catching up and reminiscing. WNBA President Donna Orender started things off with her high energy; pump you up, background and overview of the 12 years and growth of the league. The entire time I couldn’t stop looking around and thinking back to how this and so many of these remarkable women had inspired me to do the work that I do.

Then it was time to honor Robin Roberts with the Inspiration Award. She was truly my first female influence in the broadcasting industry. I had watched her since I was a kid and when I started working with the WNBA in 1997, she was the face of ESPN’s coverage of the league. She and Annie Meyers showed me that women could be decision makers in this business.

Without a word written, Robin began speaking from the heart and let everyone know how humbled she was to receive the award. She had always been inspired by the league and so many others before it, and she didn’t realize she was impacting people the same way just by doing something she loved to do. I will always remember the first time I met her and the advice she so willingly shared with me many times over the years.

The grand finale was the parade onto the stage of the 2008 US Women’s Basketball Team. What an amazing group of inspiring women. I saw so many little girls in the crowd cheering and getting their two-tone WNBA basketballs ready for signing. This was no doubt a moment that would mold their ways of thinking forever.

As the luncheon was concluding (by the way I ended up with chicken and fish), there were hugs and well wishes to the National Team and goodie bags filled with everything from lip-gloss to Robin’s book “From the Heart”. But, the best gifts I received were the memories stirred and the thoughts of who helped me be the person I am today.

The Kevin Bacon of our six degrees of separation is women’s basketball. It connects us all, whether as players, coaches, broadcasters or fans and it directs our lives in more ways than we may think. So, I ask you to think about the women who have inspired you and to try and think about them a little more often. You never know whose life you may be impacting and it’s always good to refer to those from whom you took inspiration.