Cartoon Heroines - past & present

I was talking with my landlords (who are expecting #2) about toys and cartoons. Being me, I had a lot to offer on the subject of cartoons. She found it interesting I never had a Barbie in all my childhood. I never wanted one. I had dolls, but they were cool dolls: She-Ra was the favourite & closest to Barbie - only so much tougher. I like to think people who know the woman I've grown to be wouldn't be surprised that I'm more of a She-Ra woman than a Barbie. But I digress (assuming there was a point to digress from).

I was thinking about the Heriones of my childhood- Rainbow Bright, Jem, She-Ra.
First was Rainbow Bright. She was cute, sweet, carefree. She saved Rainbow Land and brought colour to the world. Her Sparkles were the source of her powers and her friends were equally lovable and adorable.

My next female hero was Jem. In Grade 1 I went through a faze where I'd put the 2 ns in my name close together so it kind of looked like Jem. I would sing her songs "What you feel is what you feel" or "Our love makes you beautiful to me." Real crowd pleasers. Jem was in girl-group battle with the Misfits for the top of the pop charts (kind of like Mariah Carey vs. the world). She'd touch her earring and *bam!* she's be transformed into Jem. Her bandmates also transformed into her sidekicks.

Last, but not least, was SheRa. Like the others, a blonde (maybe they're related- or male cartoonists are obsessed with blondes). Twin sister to HeMan, she kicked some serious villain ass. She'd lift her Sword of Protection and she'd become SheRa. Her network of other magical & powerful women helped her defeat her foes.

So what did these cartoon women teach me? Help your friends. Be strong. Be independent. Girl Power baby. Get a cool horse to ride.
Girls are also the evil ones, so look out & be careful who you trust because some women are out to get you. When in doubt pull out your Sparkles/Earring/Sword of Power and you'll transform into someone who can handle the situation. Hmm...so maybe there's some mixed messages.

Somewhere in life my Sword of Protection became rusted and my Sparkles ran out. I lost the backing of my magic Earrings. Sadly, I grew up and magic became to hard to rely on. Now, how am I supposed to battle with all the bad things in life that I need to be strong for? (which are usually not other women).

I purpose a new Cartoon Heroine. Someone very familiar. Someone grown up, feminine, without magic security blankets to see her through. Someone who relies on her wit, charm and smarts (ok - and her sexuality). That's right - Betty Boop. Sure Sure, she's not the smartest technically - but she's street smart. She gets through everything with a smile. She takes the powers of being an independent woman (good and bad) and uses them to her advantage. A woman who has fun throughout life. Ladies, meet your grown up herione.