Tuesday Topics - Favorite Characters

I stumbled upon this linkup too late to get my list published on the Tuesday for which it was originally slated.  Undeterred, for it seems like a fun linkup, I decided to go ahead, despite my tardiness.  (Thanks Jenn and Lauren for the generous linkup time frame.)

As I started to brainstorm my favorite eight characters, I was completely overwhelmed.  I mean, I have forty-something years worth of exposure to characters from film, television, books, and the theater to draw from.  How in the world could I ever narrow it down to eight?

With the images of Saturday's Women's March on Washington and the sister marches that occurred in cities throughout the world in my brain, I decided to tailor my list to female characters and, specifically, female characters whom I consider(ed) to be great role models.

Jo Polniaczek (played by Nancy McKeon) in the 80s sitcom, The Facts of Life

I knew from a very early age that I was a tomboy.  Although tomboys were more socially acceptable in the 1980s than they had been in previous decades, they were not as commonly accepted as they are today.  Jo was my very first role model.  Jo instilled in me the idea that it's okay to be a tomboy as long as you are true to yourself.

Tami Maida (played by Helen Hunt) in the 1983 made for TV docudrama, The Quarterback Princess

Tami Maida was my second earliest role model. Tami taught me that girls could play sports just as well as boys could.  She was also my example on how to embrace my femininity from time to time.

Mulan, from the Disney animation, Mulan

Before Mulan, there were Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine, whom, in their own right, were very strong, female characters.  But Mulan was different.    Mulan was one of the first Disney movies in which a girl didn't have to be rescued by a man.  In fact, Mulan not only rescued her dad, but also Shang (her army captain) as well as the emperor of China. Mulan was total badass.

Idgie Threadgoode (played by Mary Stuart Masterson) in the 1991 film, Fried Green Tomatoes (and in the 1987 novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg)

I have always identified with Idgie - a tomboy raised in a rural area, who felt more at home in the woods, surrounded by nature, than anywhere else.  

Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) in the long running NBC drama, Law and Order: SVU

I do not nor have I ever worked in law enforcement, but I have eyes.  It is very obvious that women are outnumbered drastically by men in this profession. The fact that Benson not only works in this profession, but has also excelled, rising to the rank of Lieutenant is very impressive.  Not only is she tough, but she is also very empathetic and caring. She executes here duties, but maintains her humanity.

Katniss Everdeen, from The Hunger Games novels and movie franchise (played by Jennifer Lawrence)

With no disrespect to Bella Swan from the Twilight series, the wildly popular YA book series that preceded The Hunger Games, one of the things I so loved about Katniss Everdeen was that she was not mopey or passive.  She did not wait for things to happen, she made things happen.  Katniss exhibited many worthy traits that girls can look up to - strength, resiliency, and self-sufficiency.

Willowdean from the novel, Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

It's not easy being a teenager, let alone an overweight teenager.  Willowdean learned to truly embrace herself while opening up herself to infinite possibilities. That is a truly admirably trait.

Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson (played by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, respectively) in the 2016 film, Hidden Figures

During a time when both women and African Americans were struggling for equal rights, there were three brilliant, female, African American mathematicians working at NASA.  These ladies were very instrumental in the launching of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth.  Their story is one of empowerment, of breaking down walls that are before you, and not giving up.


So, what do you think?  Do you have any female characters that you think should have made the cut?  If  you do, feel free to comment below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

Happy Tuesday to you!  As always, thanks for stopping by!