Couldn’t stick Wonder Woman’s outfit! Catwoman’s outfit is cool in a way, but she isn’t. Lois Lane is not a ‘superheroine’- she is the irritating girlfriend of a superhero, which disqualifies her on two counts. The Bionic Woman is a reasonably normal, definitely smart woman who has (albeit indirectly) chosen to ‘develop’ her strengths and then use them as best she can. So, I would go for that. Superhero/ines- like a lot of high-flyers in business and politics- can have a big impact (for better or worse) on the world, but they don’t seem to have very satisfying or well rounded personal lives. And as much as I genuinely admire Eleanor Roosevelt, I don’t envy her her personal life- she made great lemonade from a lot of lemons! On the other hand, I suspect that the answers to this question may also reflect stage of life- the younger me would have leapt at the chance for glory, and I suspect the older me will transfer the energy that currently goes into the care and feeding of my offspring and my nascent career to take on bigger issues. Has anybody read ‘Once Upon a Mid-Life’? It has it’s limitations, but underlying a look at fairy tales that focus on people in the middle stages of life are some interesting points on the ‘tasks’ we need to accomplish at different stages- and how universal these are

Oh I don’t know , Lois Lane was a female reporter in a man’s world when there weren’t alot of women in men’s jobs during that period. I think sometimes it takes super hero qualities to traverse where you ought not go according to convention. I tend to agree with Eleanor Roosevelt being another women who although not a super hero in the true sense of the word, walked a road that women for the next four or five generations readily identified with. She spoke up for those who couldn’t always speak for themselves and made sure their stories were told. I admire women who break down barriers. They may not be immortalized in comic books or on TV shows, but they are my wonder women.

Growing up in the 60s, I can’t think of any female heroes that weren’t sexual side characters. I guess a fantasy hero would have been the blonde on the MOD squad. But even she needed the boys to look after her. My daughter is much more sure of her abilities and future opportunties than I ever dreamed of being. Thank God for change, and the women that have made it happen. Thank you to all of you. Peace

Elastagirl from the Incredibles! As a very busy mom, to have to ability to super stretch would make my life sooooo much easier. Especially driving, when my kids drop something and I forbid them to take off their seatbelts to pick it up. I could merely super stretch my arm and pick it up to make for a much more peaceful drive! I am thinking practical here!

Aethelflaed, an historical super heroine—Mercian Ruler during the 900s who, as a very young woman, halted Danish invasions —one of those women’s coming of age stories that often, unfortunately excapes the curriculum at most schools.

Tinkerbell. Nobody believes in you. Only a few even know you’re there. But you can get just as much accomplished with “fairy dust”, and you don’t need to get so involved.

My mother!!!! She could stretch a pound of hamburger to feed 6 and have leftovers. She could listen to four budding musicians practice four different instruments on four different pieces at four different abilities for half an hour every afternoon after school so they would be done when Dad got home and not go nuts. She knew where we were at all times, who we were with and whether or not we were doing something we shouldn’t. She dealt with my hot tempered father with finesse and psychology and kept things on an even keel. She taught us to use the encyclopedias and dictionaries and how to read road maps and bus schedules—good resources for everyone. She gave us a sense of worth, a basis for our beliefs in God, and made each one of us feel that we were the most important person in her life. Most of all she did it without raising her voice. We were taught respect, how to live economically and to love unquestioning. Mom was definitely a superhero!

I would have to say that single moms (and dads, but were talking heroines here) are my superheroines. Being a part-time single mom is challenging enough, but I look at all the other women I know who go through it alone and I am amazed at all they accomplish. And with wonderful children on top of it all.