Female Icons

The Poet

Maya Angelou - 1928 to Present

Dr. Maya Angelou is heralded as one of the leading writers and voices of contemporary literature. She is an educator, civil-rights activist, actress, historian and play-wright. She has inspired me in my writing and makes me proud to be a woman, despite my faults and insecurities.

The Super Hero

Wonder Woman - Created in 1941

The first Wonder Woman comic was released in 1941 as a role model for girls to get out of the submissive, fearful, frail gender specific stero-type they were used to. Wonder Woman stood for power, strength, athleticisim, and smarts and made young women re-think what they could do with their lives. Maybe we can’t leap from tall buildings and stop a truck with our hands, but we can certainly give it a shot. Lynda Carter took the role to television in 1975, and she will always be known as Wonder Woman to me. I had my Wonder Woman Underoos and will dress like her for Halloween before I die. She’s a super hero!

The Philanthropist

Princess Diana - 1961-1997

Once engaged to Pince Charles, Diana became a public image, often scrutinized and always in the media. her legacy, despite a public divorce and untimely death, should really focus on her life’s purpose…to help those in need. She started an AIDS relief organaziation and championed for the rights of AIDS vicitims and the research for a cure. She was also an activist for all those living in poverty, underprivelged Africans and children.

The Activist

Rosa Parks - 1913-2005

Acclaimed as one of the most 100 influential people of our time, Rosa Parks was the quiet activist , who in 1955 refused to give up her seat on the bus (because of her race) and started a nation wide protest. Her courage to stand up for herself and her beliefs made huge strides for African American’s civil rights and her legacy lives on with Rosa Parks Day in Michigan , a Rosa Parks museum and library. She truly was an extraordinary woman.

Inspiring Female Guidespotters

The Tom Boy

Amelia Earhart 1897-1937

Amelia Earhart is quite possibly known as the leading lady of aviation and one of the foremost aviation specialists of her time. And she’s of course an inspiration to women everywhere, letting them know that they can do things that were once only accepted for men. She pioneered the field of aviation for women, becoming the first womean to fly across the Atlantic in 1928. She died, doing what she loved, en route from Lee, New Guinea to Holland Island when attempting to be the first woman to fly across the world. She is the definition of Aviatrix. (thank you PoorestTourist)

The Sex Symbol

Marilyn Monroe -1926-1962

Maybe the most popular sex symbol to date, Marilyn Monroe made men swoon (including one president) and women the freedom to own their sexuality. She often played up her ‘dumb blonde’ image, but in reality she was an intellignet, sweet woman and even started her own motion picture company. If I could get away with her platinum coif, I’d do it in a second! She commands attention and her short life left people sad for what she had left to offer the entertainment industry.

The Pop Icon

Madonna -1958 -Present

I can’t imagine anyone not knowing Madonna. She is a singer-songwriter, actress(she does try) , dancer, producer and Grammy Award winner. Regardless of what you think of her, she has made an impact on the female psyche, telling women to empower themselves, explore their sexuality, and be strong. She has made an empire and is considered one of the most powerful women in the entertainment industry.

The Pin Up Model and Rebel

Bettie Page -1923 to Present

Possibly the best known pin-up girl of all time and definitely an icon to men and women the world over, Bettie Page surprised everyone with her sexy pictures depicting fetish, S&M, and nudity. She began her modeling career innocently enough in casual modeling that lead to bikini pictures and then to her career in the S&M industry (much to her husband’s surprise!) She also acted in films and is the sex symbol of choice for men and women to this day. I think every woman has a hidden Bettie Page inside of her.