The Bold Mrs. Pollifax by Gabrielle

The Bold Mrs. Pollifax by Gabrielle - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Mrs. Pollifax is a character derived from Dorthy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax series. She taught me the importance of being imaginative, practical and most of all unabashedly myself. For a long time I felt that I was too much. I was seen as bold, outgoing, and exuberant. I have never truly felt like I belonged anywhere. Mrs. Pollifax let me know that that was okay.

The sixty-year old, fanciful hat wearing individual who strolled into the CIA office and asked for a job even though everyone else thought she was crazy, let me know that being yourself is your greatest strength. Sometimes it can be tough when others do not see your promise at first but in having confidence in yourself it leads to others having confidence in you.

Mrs. Pollifax led all interactions with curiosity and above all maintaining true to herself and her values. It’s that dedication to herself that allowed her to flourish into a leader that helped lead countless individuals to escape from foreign lands. It’s that dedication that inspired me to follow my values, imagination and embrace being different.

Mrs. Pollifax taught me that I am my best asset, no matter how different, bold and nonconforming I am I need to wear my fanciful hats with pride.