Party like Nancy Drew

Celebrate the New Year like Nancy Drew – with sleuthing, historical costumes, and just a little bit of cross-dressing.

“Helen was holding up a man’s purple velvet suit.  It had knee breeches and the waistcoat had a lace-ruffled front… ‘I think I’ll wear this and be your partner, Nancy,’ Helen said.”

 

- Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1930)

 

 

 

Plucky Penny

“Are you all right?” the fireman asked, taking her arm.

“Quite,” Penny smiled.  “You needn’t hold me.  I’ll not faint.”

“You have pluck, Miss…” 

- Penny Nichols and the Black Imp (1936)
 

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Happy Birthday, Mary Tyler Moore!

You’re gonna make it after all.

Photo: Bob Willoughby
Source: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1166907136/nm0001546

Jane Gets the Job!

“There’s danger, there’s a lot of responsibility, and there’s a great deal of work at times,” he went on.  “You may be trapped in almost any kind of weather – rain, snow, hail, sleet, fog.  You must be calm and resourceful and courageous.”

- Jane, Stewardess of the Air Lines (1934)
 

"Jeepers, Honey!"

“Lucy Radcliffe wouldn’t go back to bed,” Trixie replied obstinately.  “She would just toss her gorgeous red hair back from her face, set her jaw firmly, and stick at it until the case was solved.  Jeepers, Honey!  How I wish I were a spy.  Lucy leads such an exciting life.”

- Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon (1979)

Nancy, Undaunted

In the classic television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary Richards is told by her employer, Lou Grant, that she’s got spunk.  He proceeds to add: “I hate spunk!”  

In The Hidden Staircase, Nancy has a memorable encounter with an owl that has been let into a “haunted” house.  When Rosemary, the daughter of their host, notes that “Owls have very sharp claws and beaks and they use them viciously on anybody who tries to disturb them,” Nancy insists, “I’ll stay here and try getting Mr. Owl out of the house.  Have you a pair of old heavy gloves?”  A few moments later, Nancy’s “lightning movement” allows her to grab hold of the bird.  Undaunted by the pain caused by its pecking, she runs across the room with her captive, and releases it out the window.  “Operation Owl” was a success! 

Nancy Drew has spunk – and who except Lou Grant could hate that? 

Sojourner Truth on Christmas

“Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
 

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.”

 

- Sojourner Truth, addressing the Women's Convention in Ohio, 1851

 

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp

Justice and Excitement

“I only want to see justice done.  And I do have evidence!”  Penny’s face brightened with excitement.

 

- Penny Nichols and the Black Imp (1936)

A New Field for Girls

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” replied Jane.  “It’s a real chance to get into a new field for girls.  Air travel is developing rapidly and perhaps we can grow with it.”

- Jane, Stewardess of the Air Lines  (1934)

Adventure! Feminism! Fun!

Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Penny Nichols, and more...
In this blog, I'll explore the literary heritage of bold, empowered young women - an essential legacy of feminism, justice... and adventure.