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As I get ready for BlogHer 08
tomorrow, I would like to share some thoughts that have brewing around
in my head regarding female figures that have guided my life.
When
I was in High School, I used to think that I would have done ok in the
pre-womens rights era, or what my little high school brain thought of
as "the fifties." I liked doing domestic things, I thought raising
kids seemed like an agreeable lifestyle, and I liked retro clothes.
The
other day I was driving in my car singing along with Regina Spektor,
"Hey remember that time when we found the human tooth, down on
Delancy," and I realized that in no way would I have ever survived the
fifties, despite what fantasies of red lipstick and aprons I may have
had when I was in High School. I am much less conventional than I
thought!
And for that, there are a few women I would like to
thank. Some are fictional, some are "real," and some were even around
in the "fifties," and I don't know any of them on a personal basis,
but, at various points in my life, all of them have given me permission
to be exactly who I am today. A mix of conventional, unconventional,
good, naughty, sassy, sweet... I am comfortable in who I am and who I
want to be.
Ramona Quimby
She
worried all the time, like me. When most other kids in books I read
were depicted as carefree, I felt comforted knowing that there was
another kid who was worrying out there.
Adventures in Babysitting: Chris Parker
Ok,
so it was irresponsible to take a group of kids into the city at night
in order to rescue her best friend from the terrifying big city bus
station. But Chris is totally in charge through out the entire movie.
Would a weak character tell this to a gang?
Anne of Green Gables
She
taught me that you don't have to think about boys all the time in order
to end up with the love of your life. She pursued her educational and
professional dreams, took care of Marilla and Matthew, built great
friendships, calmed her temper... and he was still there when she was
ready.
Regina Spektor...
...Kate Nash...
...and Lilly Allen.
For writing sassy, quirky lyrics.
Bridget Jones
She's a complete nutcase, but she's our heroine and we love her, "Just the way she is."
Elsiecake
(photo by elsie)
For inspiring me to have strength, conviction, and delight in my own creative abilities.
Again, these are just a few. There are billions more that will come to mind over time, but you gotta start somewhere!
(originally published on http://cereals.pnn.com)
