"Well behaved women seldom make history." -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

The following women are real-life heroines that have influenced my life in one way or another.

1. Joan of Arc
One of the best compliments I ever received was when someone told me I was like "a modern-day Joan of Arc." Fingers crossed this doesn't imply that I eventually get burned at the stake. I love her devotion, her action, and her French-ness.

2. Anne Frank
It may be cliche to say this, but reading The Diary of Anne Frank changed my life. I was fourteen and in desperate need of an attitude adjustment. Her ability to be happy in spite of her circumstances will forever be an inspiration to me.

3. Carole King
"You've got to get up every morning/And show the world all the love in your heart." I revere Carole King for her music, but I also admire her for her dedication to environmentalism.

4. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Suffragettes represent! She devoted her life to women's rights and truly made an impact. Girlfriend rocks. Hard.

5. Mary Fielding Smith
A Mormon pioneer (and my great-great-great grandmother), she traveled across the plains with her children, their father recently martyred. One of the company captains suggested that she stay behind, as she'd be a burden to the group. She looked him right in the eye and said that not only would she be going with them, but she would also beat him to the valley. And you know what? She totally did.

6. Tina Fey
My mom once asked me why I liked Tina Fey so much. "Not only did she pursue her dream of acting and improv, but she was the first female head writer on SNL. She made it cool for women to be funny," I gushed. Someday I hope to meet her and tell her just how much she's done for me.

7. Michelle Obama
How cool is Michelle Obama? Dignity, style, knowledge, and activism. She's also the kind of mom I want to be someday.

8. Grace Kelly
Ah, and then there's Grace. There was so much public interest in her life and she still managed to become her own woman. Most actresses today seem to be concerned with attention and sensationalism. They fail to recognize the true definition of Hollywood Glamour, which Grace personified.

9. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
She is the one responsible for the oft-quoted saying in the title. (I'm currently reading the book she wrote about what she meant when she said that. It's fascinating.) Anyhow, Laurel is the only Mormon to ever win a Pulizter Prize and she's also an active feminist. Those are things worth aspiring to.

10. My mom
She's one of the strongest people I know. She was a fierce-awesome lawyer back in the day and now she's a great mom to myself and the kid brother. I love her advice and even though we are very different people, I'm grateful for the impact she's had in my life.

Other sources of inspiration: Sally Ride (I wanted to be an astronaut SO BAD because of her), Marie Curie, Martha Stewart (all insider trading aside, I really admire her savvy and talent), Joan Jett, Katee Sackhoff, Azar Nafisi (the author of Reading Lolita in Tehran), Jane Austen, Shannon Hale, Jane Espenson, Anna Freud, Dorothy Parker, Harriet Tubman, and Christine Ladd-Franklin.

" If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody." -Holden Caulfield

I think it's been pretty well established that I tend to get attached to fictional characters.One of my very favorite blog posts is that time I wrote about all the book characters I'd like to marry. I started out my Fictional Girl Crush List at 10, but it kind of...expanded.

 

1. Jo March 

There is a very distinct possibility that I will name one of my daughters after Josephine March. She's the perfect example of womanhood, from her daring flights of fancy to her intense affection for her sisters and parents. Above all, she knew how to refuse love when it wasn't right. And then she raised a whole litter of boys at Plumfield. Girl crush central right here, folks.

2. Rory Gilmore 

Rory taught me that one could be a bookworm and also be stylish at the same time. She didn't always make the right choices, but she always fixed her mistakes. (Jess + Rory for-evah!)

3. Kara Thrace, callsign Starbuck

At first she comes off as abrasive and rough'n'tumble and impulsive, which she is. She's one of the most loyal and memorble characters in the history of television and I just really love her a lot. (See also: The entire frakking cast of BSG women.)

4. Hermione Granger

People in middle school would call me Hermione (that's what you get for being awkward and quiet and ALWAYS RIGHT), so it's only natural that I feel a kinship to her. Can you imagine Harry Potter without her? Yikes, I don't even want to think about it. Not only did she have knowledge, but she also had immense courage.

5. Zoe Alleyne

I'm probably more like Kaylee, but Zoe is the epitome of strength. I could definitely see her, Starbuck, and Bones all being best friends.

6. Celia Garth

Okay, this one's a tad more obscure. My mom lent me her copy of Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow when I was younger and I've re-read it many times since. Celia is a dressmaker who becomes a spy for the American Revolution, which is totally kick-awesome. Also, she has not one,  but TWO rogue boyfriends.

7. Buffy Summers

Pretty much a given, am I right? She's not the most book-smart, however, she's got street-smarts to spare. In addition to being the Slayer, she's also extremely kind-hearted and knows how to rock the knee-length boots.

8. Angua von Überwald

It was not easy to decide between her and Susan Sto Helit, but this heiress from Terry Prachett's Discworld Universe is a crime-fighting werewolf. WIN.

9. Veronia Mars

There is a reason I want this chick by my side when the zombies come. She knows just about everything and what she doesn't know, she knows someone who does. Nobody does snark better.

10. Molly McIntire

Yeah, this is the American Girl Doll Molly. She's the doll that I own because I was so impressed with her bravery and sacrifice during a time of war. Remember when she shared her birthday with Emily, the English girl? Loved that!

11. Trillian 

Mathematician, astrophysicist, adventurer. I love her quirky humor and love for life in space and how she lets nothing stop her. 

12. Karigan G'ladheon and Aerin and Alanna

These three lovely ladies are my trifecta of perfect fantasY heroines. Karigan comes from Green Rider, Aerin from The Hero and the Crown, and Alanna from Tamora Pierce's quartet of the same name. Teenage-me soaked up their stories and learned how to stand up for what was right.

13. Jaye Tyler

Jaye absolutely cracks me up. She takes things at her own pace and she talks to inanimate objects. She'd be totes fun at a sleepover. If I ever get three wishes, I will spend one of those wishes on a second season of Wonderfalls.

14. Scout Finch

Posessing more wisdom than most people will in their lifetimes, Scout amazes me each time I read To Kill A Mockingbird. Plus, I'm totally hot for her dad. (Does anyone else hope that Scout and Dill end up getting married?)

15. Willow Rosenberg

Evn though she has question taste in sweaters, the geeky, girl-lovin' Willow is as integral to the Buffy storyline as Buffy herself. For a witch, she's surprisingly (and endearingly) naive, but she knows how to hold her own.

16. Diana Prince/Wonder Woman

There aren't nearly enough superhero women, but I'll take what we can get. Amazonian and smoking hot, Wonder Woman opened up a world of possibilities in the comic book realm.

17. Temperance "Bones" Brennan

Bones is stunningly brilliant and gorgeous and a best-selling author. She's not the best with social situations (holla!)--that's why she has Booth.

18. Princess Leia

Leia is the best kind of princess: diplomatic, sarcastic, and rebellious-in-a-good-way. No wonder Han loves her.

19. Lindsey Weir

If I could re-do my teenage years, I'd like to be more like Lindsey. She's more concerned with doing her own thing than worrying about what everyone else thinks and as the quote from yesterday said, that's one of the true marks of a feminist.

20. Elizabeth Bennet

The movies are about Darcy, but the book is all about Elizabeth. I don't think there's ever been a character as perfect as Ms. Bennet. My favorite quality among many is that she had a razor-sharp wit and knew when to use it. Her story and struggles and actions are timeless. 

Who are some of your fictional girl crushes that have inspired you through the years?

"A feminist is a woman who does not allow anyone to think in her place." -Michele Le Deouff

As yesterday was International Women's Day, I thought it'd be the perfect time to kick off Girl Crush Week 2009. Check it, I even made myself a banner and everything.

 

(That, my friends, is the magic of MS Paint.)

The definition of a girl crush is "1.) A sense of admiration and respect for another female. 2.) Wanting to be a girl's BFF based on her rocking actions, style, and all-around awesomeness."

I'm hoping to cover such topics as why I'm a feminist, current girl crushes (both fictional and non-fictional), and some other cool stuff. It should be fun and different and may very well be the most important thing I do on this blog.

I'm starting things off with this speech from Joss Whedon for Equality Now. It's totally powerful and I can't recommend that you watch it strongly enough. Also, it has Meryl Streep!