As we celebrate Women's History Month here at Green Bean, I thought it would be fun to celebrate a few fictional female characters (and their authors) who've inspired us as well! I sat down this morning to make a list of the imaginary women and girls who've influenced me throughout the years, and I could hardly narrow it down. Eventually, (after much anguish and deliberation) I came up with a top five. And as much as I would have loved to include picture book heroines like Olivia the Pig and Miss Rumphius, there just wasn't room. (Maybe I will give the picture book ladies their own list one day.) I do hope you'll share your top five in the comments or let us know in person. Without further ado...
1. Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery. What can I say? There really is no other female character who has inspired me as much, at so many different stages of my life. From childhood to adulthood, I have considered Anne Shirley a kindred spirit and 'bosom friend.'
2. Meg Murray from A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle. The Wrinkle series was my first introduction to science fiction as a kid and I've been hooked ever since. Meg was a glasses-wearing misfit, not unlike myself, and her smarts, humor, and fierce loyalty have cemented her in my mind as the ultimate girl sci-fi hero.
3. Cassie Logan, from Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor. Cassie's kindness, love for her family, and even naivete are what drew me to her as a child, but as an adult, I can't help bu be struck by her willingness to grow and change and face the world head-on, even when everything seems wrong.
4. Cassandra Mortmain, from I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith. What's not to love about a girl who lives in a tumbledown castle with her quirky, artistic, (pennyless) parents and sister in the 1920's? Cassandra's narration, wit, true individuality, and her capacity for love, have never failed to make me a blubbery, teary mess (in a good way).
illustration by Lizzie Stewart
illustration by Lizzie Stewart
5. Ananka Fishbein and all of the Irregulars, from the Kiki Strike series, by Kirsten Miller. Okay, okay, so this might be cheating a bit. There are six girls. AND I didn't technically find the Kiki Strike books until I was already an adult, but I've been such a fan since then, I just couldn't resist including them. Kiki and all the delinquent girl scouts are pure fun. Had I read these books as a child, my number one wish would have been to grow up to be a butt-kicking super spy. (Actually, that is still my number one wish.) The Irregulars are truly superheroes for the modern age.
There were so many others I could've included-- Lyra, Hermione, Ramona, Dorothea, Lizzie Bennet... the list goes on. How's a girl to choose? Ah well. I'm glad we have all month to celebrate them!
-Andrea
-Andrea
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