Karen Gill MBE co-founder of everywoman recently got the chance to chat with Becky Anderson, one of CNN International’s highest profile anchors and host of Connect the World, about her career and the importance of role models.

Karen Gill: How much time did you spend planning your career, or did it just happen?
Becky Anderson: Nothing happens by chance in life – mostly it’s about working hard, recognising opportunities and riding a bit of luck along the way!

Karen Gill: What steps have you taken to fulfill your career ambitions? What's the next goal for you?  
Becky Anderson: I studied economics at university and then took a Masters’ in Mass Communication with a specific brief for Business Journalism.  I knew what I wanted to do from the outset and just went after my dream to be an Economics Journalist.  Once I’d nailed that I switched hats and moved into broadcast journalism. I joined CNN 14 years ago and have never looked back.  I’m still setting goals every day of my life.

Karen Gill: How much support did you get climbing the career ladder and where did it come from?
Becky Anderson: I didn’t get any support in climbing the ladder.  Nepotism is certainly rife in life but not in my case!

Karen Gill: How important do you think role models are in climbing the career ladder? Who are some of your role models?
Becky Anderson: Role models are incredibly important. I’ve never had a personal mentor but I’ve always aspired to strong, female champions. Award-winning foreign correspondent Martha Gellhorn was always an inspiration for me.  Her work was prolific, but it was her compelling, compassionate reporting on the Spanish Civil war that I most love.  She once said: “The thing about war is that it has two sides . . . the first is the absolute horror of it. The other thing about it is you meet absolutely marvellous people ... brave and extraordinary people.”

Karen Gill: What advice would you give women just starting out in their careers?
Becky Anderson: Becky’s words of wisdom: Being a woman is a privilege – imagine the alternative! Being an honest, charming and compassionate woman is a great start in life. From there, don’t look down, look up.  Create yourself opportunities, recognise them and take them on. And hang on for the ride, it’s a lot of fun.

Karen Gill: What are some 'words of wisdom' from a woman that inspires you?
Becky Anderson: Martha Gellhorn’s words of wisdom: “I see mysteries and complications wherever I look, and I have never met a steadily logical person.”

Which women inspire you? CNN is looking for your favourite quotes from women, past and present. Share yours by Wednesday 20^th February and it and it could feature in CNN’s coverage of International Women's Day. You can post it on Facebook, tweet your quote using the hashtag #wisdomofwomen or leave it as a comment at the bottom of CNN’s Wisdom of Women blog piece here.