OK!
Inspired by Alix’s List, I came up with my list of 15 characters. I tried very hard not to go over 15 although it was hard because there we so many  good ones—and a lot of us had the same ones!  Sally J. Friedman! Betsy from the Betsy/Tracy books! Oh, the list goes on and on.  So, here’s my list!
1.)Â Â Â Anne of Green Gables
From the first book to the last–I love them all, but who wouldn’t love that plucky redheaded orphan who was so dramatic (ahem) and who grew into a gracious adult who held onto her creative side. And loved fashion.
2.) Â Â Maggie Prescott from Funny Face
I know, it seems appalling not to write the Audrey Hepburn character. But the one I adored was Fred Astaire’s fun friend who helped turn Audrey into the fabulous girl in the short tulle laden wedding dress everyone loves. Â And her number, “Think Pink”–fantastic! Â It was the first time I saw a character whose job was in fashion. Â And that fashion is totally based on the whims of someone–hopefully as fabulous as Maggie Prescott!
3.)Â Â Â Laura Ingalls
Everyone’s favorite little pioneer whose never-ending resourcefulness of the time is great to read. And she never let the bullies get to her.
4.)Â Â Â Rhoda
I don’t know why, but Mary Tyler Moore’s perkiness just didn’t compare to the sass and head scarf wearing awesomeness of Rhoda. Rhoda took chances and always tried to hit for the fences even if it turned out to be a foul ball. And would you look at her fab pad?
5.)Â Â Â Murphy Brown
Yes, you can be a smart working woman and Murphy made it all seem possible. Â And single mom to boot!
6.)Â Â Â Emily Post
OK, not really a character and her writing wasn’t exactly fiction, but her books were always on my night stand. Because as a tween, some times you just wanted to know that there was a right way to act. And find solutions to those sticky moments in life were manners can just help smooth things over in the nicest way.
7.)Â Â Â Daria
Speaking of teenage years. I must admit I was more Daria Morgandorfer than Brittney Spears in high school and it was just nice to see the quirky girl with glasses get the full show.
8.) Jo from Little Women:
Oh Jo, you wonderful writer! Actually, I like all of the sisters. Each one had her charms as well as vices. But of course Jo’s spunkiness spoke to my heart.
9.) Josie and the Pussycats:
I know, another cartoon. But this is about a girl in a band who can sing and solve mysteries! I seriously don’t know if life gets better than that. Plus the outfits are totally cute!
10.) Annie!
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! Oh, to sing away one’s sorrows on Broadway! I saw the play when I was in second grade on Broadway when Sarah Jessica Parker had the role. I loved her spunk and her ability to have fun and break out into song even during the most bleak moments of life.
11.) McGyver!
Laugh all you want,  until you need to build a CB radio and all you have is a thumb tack, a packet of ketchup and a plastic spoon. We’ve all had that moment of channeling our inner McGyver and I can’t help but smile when I make do with someone in a rather clever way.
12.) Morticia Adamms
I thought she was the most glamorous thing around. And her husband was desperately in love with her. And she clearly wiggled to her own drummer not noticing that it might be out of tune with the rest of the world. Go forward, my goth goddess! And I found my Gomez!
13.) Hildy from His Girl Friday
Please, oh please tell me you’ve seen this movie! Because it’s hilarious and when you look up the word dame in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of Hildy. She’s smart, she’s a go-getter and she’s hilarious.
14.) Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain
No bad mood can exist after humming a few bars of that song. I loved the whole movie from its beginning discussion about the history of movies with its roots in vaudeville and the whole background discussion of how the “talkies” changed everything. Â And of course the beauty of singing in the rain.
15.) Mary Ann/Ginger from Gilligan’s Island
I had to mention both because they are sort of the ying and yang of femininity in a lot of ways and it showed me that both are great aspects of being a woman, perky and sweet and sulty and sexy. Of course that is just the tip of the iceberg into all things feminine, but enough to make an impact on me. Oh and did we mention their fabulous wardrobes. I’m still impressed at how much they packed for a three hour tour!
Well, there’s my list! Â I had to laugh because it really is a little slice of me, I guess. Â Â Thoughts? Any of them similar to yours?
