This graphic was designed to be inserted into Starbuck's Memory Tumbler "Create Your Own Tumbler". Which explains the odd shape. I gave these out at Christmas '03. If you would like a correct, full size, high res picture to make your own cup, download from the link below. You can buy the Tumblers at most Starbuck locations.
Who's Who
Click on the faces in the above graphic will take you to the bio below. Clicking on the links will take you to the reference website and/or another informative site - usually with more extensive bios than my summaries here.
Chicks from movies, TV and comics. Obviously, I was unable to include literature characters as the visual images are within the reader's mind. Another caveat is my own preferences, especially for the comic book chicks. I was a DC Comic fan in the '70s and relatively recently I have begun reading them again as the popularity and the number of woman heroines with their own books have increased. I've read very little Marvel comics, hence the lack of Marvel characters.
Amidala, Padme (Fic): Movie, Star Wars saga (1999-2005). Image: Natalie Portman. Real name Padme Naberrie, she was elected Queen of Naboo when she was 14 years old. She marries Anakin Skywalker and bears two children, Leia and Luke.
Arwyn
(Fic): CrossGen Comic:
Sojourn. An expert archer, Arwyn
has vowed vengeance against Mordath, whose forces killed her husband and
daughter. Arwyn is on a quest to
gather the 5 fragments of Ayden's arrow, which when brought together will bring
about Mordath's destruction. Note:
I admit, I read this comic as much for the wonderful art by Greg Land than for
the story.
Black Canary II (Fic): DC Comics (1983-Present). Dinah Lance, daughter of Black Canary I (Diana Drake Lance, 1940-1990). Dinah possesses a sonic "Canary cry" and is considered one of the top martial artists in the DC Universe. She began her career at age 19 and was one of the founding members of the JLA (Justice League of America). For many years she was romantically involved with Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow. BC is currently partnered with Oracle in the Birds of Prey comic. Quote: Black Canary: "I want to look in his eyes while I'm kicking his a-" Oracle: "Is that possible?" BC: "It will be when I'm done."
Bristow, Sydney (Fic): Alias TV (2001-Present) Image: Jennifer Garner. A CIA double agent, who was instrumental in bringing down SD-6, a covert criminal organization. Originally recruited by SD-6 while a grad student. Traveling around the world incognito. Fighting with the bad guys. Wrestling with inner demons. For Sydney, this is a typical day in her life at her not-so-typical job as a double agent for the CIA. Quote: "I just wanted to rip his finger right off again. Does that make me a bad person?"
Carter, Samantha (FIC): SG-1 TV (1997- Present) Image: Amanda Tapping. Major Samantha Carter is a team specialist on Stargate technology, with a doctorate in astrophysics. Carter brings both extensive scientific knowledge and military training to the SG-1 team.
Catwoman (Fic): DC Comics (1940-present). Selina Kyle, Femme Fatale, Catburglar. Selina grew up on the streets of Gotham turning to stealing and prostitution to survive. She has an on again/off again relationship with Batman. In 2002, a new Catwoman comic series by Ed Brubaker was launched and has been touted as one of the best-written comics today. I whole heartily agree. Quote: "Show a man what he expects to see, and he won't look beneath the surface."
Charlie's Angels (Fic): TV (1976-81), Movies (2000,03). Image: Drew Barrymore, Carmen Diaz, Lucy Liu.
Cregg, C.J. (Fic): TV, West Wing (1999-Present) Image: Allison Janney. Answering questions, running damage control and crafting "truths" for public consumption are all in a day's work for Press Secretary C.J. Cregg. Luckily, her background in a Hollywood public relations firm has thoroughly prepared her for the job. Although, the massive pay cut was a bit of a shock. C.J. has a quick wit which helps keep her sane when dealing with the press. Quote: "I'm a woman in her prime. I'm a prime woman." Note: C.J. = Claudia Jean.
Elektra (Fic): Marvel Comics (1980-Present) Image: Jennifer Garner. Matt Murdock's (Daredevil) former girlfriend and daughter of a Greek diplomat. She emotionally withdrew from Matt and from the world when her father was accidentally killed during a hostage situation. She went to the Far East to train with martial arts master Stick and became a member of his order, until her pain and anger from the past caused Stick to expel her. In an effort to prove herself to Stick, she infiltrated the Hand's organization of assassins, but became wrapped up with them and ended up working for them. Killed, and then brought back, Elektra continues to work as an assassin-for-hire.
Fiona, Princess (Fic): Shrek, movie (2001) While Fiona tries as much as possible to stick to all the fairytale conventions, she is not your typical damsel in distress. She's smart, tough and spirited, but she is also a princess with a deep dark secret who waits patiently for her one true love to sweep her off her feet.
Gabrielle (Fic): Xena: The Warrior Princess, TV (1995-2001) Image: Renee O'Connor. First introduced as a young, innocent village girl with a thirst for adventure. Traveling with Xena, she grew to be an accomplished Bard, an Amazon Queen, a warrior, and later a pacifist and back again, developing into a formidable woman. Quotes: Xena: "I made you leave the Way of Love. That was my fault." Gabrielle: "I had a choice to do nothing, or to save my friend. I chose the way of Friendship." ; "Xena, you brought out the best in me. Before I met you, no one saw me for who I was. I felt invisible. But, you saw all the things that I could be. You saved me, Xena." and "Does an Amazon Queen beat a Warrior Princess?"
Gordon, Barbara (Fic): DC Comics (1967-Present). (Images: Dina Meyer) As Batgirl and later as Oracle, Babs possesses a genius-level intellect, a photographic memory, an expert at research & analysis, Judo, and adept at escrima (the Philippine art of stick fighting). Suffering from feelings of self-doubts and inadequacies, Barbara eventually retired as Batgirl, only to be shot and crippled a few months later by the Joker. In the months following, she'd hidden herself away from the world, going out only for her physical and emotional therapy sessions. But the woman who had been Batgirl got tired of being afraid and feeling useless. She used her researcher's talents and a grant from the Wayne Foundation to begin anew as Oracle (1989). From her computers she helps and leads many of the DC superheroes and is the leader of the Birds of Prey. She fights, she perseveres, and she is a leader on a team of leaders (Batman, Nightwing, and Robin all lead teams of their own, but they are often led by Oracle in Gotham). In 2002, Wizard Magazine named Oracle the #1 greatest heroine. Click here for another good bio of Barbara Gordon. Quote: "Sorry... but isn't it ALWAYS the same? You're in a hurry and there's a run in every set of tights."
Organa, Princess Leia (Fic): Movie, Star Wars saga (1977-83) Image: Carrie Fisher. Daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, twin sister of Luke Skywalker. She was raised by Bail Organa on the planet of Alderaan. She was known always as Princess Leia Organa. She is an active member of the Rebel Alliance, forging plans to extinguish the enemy. She later marries Han Solo and has 3 kids; twins Jaina and Jacen, and young Anakin.
TOPPeel, Mrs. Emma (Fic): The Avengers TV (1965-67) Image: Diana Rigg. With an IQ of 152, Mrs. Peel was a mental match (as well as a physical match) for any opponent. Her beauty, prowess, wit, and charm made her one of the most desirable and formidable women of the 60's and early 70's. Few women since have had such a long-lasting impact.
Ripley,
Ellen (Fic): Alien movies
(1979-97). Image: Sigourney Weaver. The survivor of many encounters with the hostile
ALIEN species - spanning several centuries. Quote: "Get away from her, you BITCH!!"
Sommers, Jamie (Fic): The Bionic Woman TV (1975-78). Image: Lindsey Wagner. A tennis pro who suffered massive injuries following a skydiving accident. She was saved using secret, experimental bionic replacement of her legs, right arm and ear. She became an undercover OSI agent.
Sun, Aeryn (Fic): Farscape, TV (1999-2003). Image: Claudia Black. A member of the Peacekeeper Military, Aeryn was a top-notch soldier and combat pilot until her encounter with the Farscape crew. Their ship, Moya, rendered her, by Peacekeeper standards, "irreversibly contaminated" and ostracized her from the only family she'd ever known. Her adventures with the Farscape crew has taught her that there are other means and methods of communicating, but she still turns to combat as her primary solution to any problem Moya might face. She now sees the Peacekeepers through the eyes of Moya's crew and knows them to be relentless and in many ways wrong, but there is still much about Aeryn that she still considers herself a traitor. Quote: "It's not you, It's me... I don't like YOU."
Trinity (Fic): Matrix Movies (1999-2003). Image: Carrie-Anne Moss. A former hacker who broke into the NSA database. Morpheus has long since "woken" Trinity up to the real world where she is now a crewmember of the Neb. Quote: "Touch me and that hand will never touch anything again."
Xena (Fic): Xena: The Warrior Princess, TV (1995-01) Image: Lucy Lawless. After leading the defense of her town against the warlord Cortese, the young Xena got a taste for victory and built her own army to defend Amphipolis against its enemies. An encounter with Julius Caesar left her with broken legs and a burning desire for blood. After becoming one of the most feared warlords in Greece, an encounter with Hercules turned Xena around and put her on the road to redemption. With the help of Gabrielle, she now seeks to make up for all of her past misdeeds. Quote: "I have many skills.".
Yu Shu Lien (Fic):
Movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) The greatest swordswoman of
her day, she works as a merchant, but trains in martial arts with her master,
Mu Bai, the man she loves with a secret forbidden passion.
Bly, Nillie (1867-1922) Born Elizabeth Cochrane. In the 1880s and 1890s, as a reporter for Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, she became a pioneer in journalism and investigative reporting. Before the muckrakers of the early 20th century publicized corruption and before the investigative reporters of today sought out the story behind the story, Bly paved the way to valuable journalism as one of the first to "go behind the scenes" to expose society's ills. At some personal danger, she had herself committed to a mental institution for 10 days so she could study firsthand how the mentally ill were being treated. As a result of her exposŽ, the care of the mentally ill was reformed. As the New York Journal recognized, Bly was considered the "best reporter in America."
Child, Julia (1912- ) During World War II, she served with the Office of Strategic Services in Washington DC, Ceylon, and China. After the war, her husband, Paul Child, was assigned to the American Embassy in Paris. It was in Paris that Julia started her culinary career, at the Cordon Bleu. In collaboration with her two French colleagues, she wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" (1961). The book gave birth to the PBS television series "The French Chef" and was followed by several other series and cookbooks. Click on her name for a great interactive Smithsonian site. Quote: "Life itself is the proper binge".
Didrikson Zaharias, Babe (1912-1956) One of the greatest athletes of all time. Babe Didrikson Zaharias first came into national prominence as a basketball player. Though but a teenager, she was nominated for three All-American teams and once scored 106 points in a game. Of the 634 track and field events in which she was entered, she won all but 12. At the 1932 Olympic games she won gold in Javelin and 80-meter hurdles. Babe was a "natural" and excelled in just about everything she tried. But her greatest success was in golf, eventually winning 33 tournaments, including 10 majors, 3 of them U.S. Opens. Zaharias died of cancer at the age of 42 on September 27, 1956. Don't miss an excellent NY Times tribute to the Babe. Quote: "Loosen your girdle and let 'er fly!"
Ebadi, Shirin (1947- ) Iranian lawyer and human rights activist and winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts for democracy and human rights. Excerpt from Nobel Prize Bio: With Islam as her starting point, Ebadi campaigns for peaceful solutions to social problems, and promotes new thinking on Islamic terms. She has displayed great personal courage as a lawyer defending individuals and groups who have fallen victim to a powerful political and legal system that is legitimized through an inhumane interpretation of Islam. Ebadi has shown her willingness and ability to cooperate with representatives of secular as well as religious views.
Estess, Jenifer (1963-2003) Jenifer Estess, a successful theater producer at age 35, was diagnosed with a fatal motor-neuron disease - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Within five years, she was told her motor neurons would gradually stop working, robbing her of any muscular movement and eventually paralyzing her lungs. There was no treatment, let alone a cure. But instead of accepting her death sentence, Estess - together with sisters Valerie and Meredith and friends - launched Project A.L.S., a foundation with a mission to stamp out the deadly disease. Drawing upon her experience and expertise as a producer, Estess united the corporate and entertainment communities in the interest of raising significant research funds. Raising more than $17 million for research, Project ALS has gone in hot pursuit of a cure, bringing together neurological scientists from Johns Hopkins and Harvard to test the effectiveness of controversial stem cell therapies on brain diseases like ALS. In late July 2003, the team reported a stunning breakthrough: formerly paralyzed mice were able to move after doctors implanted stem cells in their spinal cords. "That's my proudest moment," Estess says. "I know this research might be too late for me, but future generations will have hope and I'm lucky I could give it to them." Here is a Forbes article on Estess and Project ALS. Note: I added Estess at the last moment, inspired after hearing a tribute to her and her work on the Today show, the day after her death on Dec. 16.
Franklin, Rosalind (1920-1958) There is probably no other woman scientist with as much controversy surrounding her life and work as the chemist, Rosalind Franklin. Franklin was responsible for much of the research and discovery work that led to the understanding of the structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The two individuals most commonly credited with this remarkable feat are Francis Crick and James Watson. Maurice Wilkins played a crucial role as well, and he shared the 1962 Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick for the discovery. Using X-ray crystallography, the locations of atoms in any crystal can be precisely mapped by looking at the image of the crystal under an X-ray beam. Rosalind Franklin applied her chemist's expertise to the unwieldy DNA molecule, and after complicated analyses she discovered - and was the first to state - that the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA lies on the outside of the molecule. She elucidated the basic helical structure of the molecule as well. Without her knowledge or consent, Wilkins provided her data to Watson and Crick, her competitors at Cambridge University. These scientists used Franklin’s data and that of other scientists to build their ultimately correct and detailed description of DNA's structure in 1953. A debate about the amount of credit due Franklin continues today. It is a tremendous shame that Franklin did not receive due credit for her essential role in this discovery, neither during her lifetime nor after her untimely death at age 37 due to cancer. Check out the website on the excellent PBS NOVA special: Secret of Photo 51 for more info on Franklin, her work and the controversy.
Gibson,
Althea (1927-2003) In 1957 Althea Gibson became the first African-American
tennis player to win at Wimbledon and Forest Hills. After retiring from tennis,
Gibson went on to play professional golf, again smashing barriers by becoming
the first African-American to earn her LPGA card. Other African-American tennis players like Arthur
Ashe and the Williams sisters followed Gibson, though not quickly. Althea Gibson's achievement was unique,
as the first African-American of either sex to break the color bar in national
and international tournament tennis at a time when prejudice and racism were
far more pervasive in society and sports.
Quote: "No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you."
Griffith-Joyner, Florence (1959-1998) Her 100-meter record (10.49), set at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, remains unchallenged. Later that year at the Seoul Olympics, she won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races and in the 400-meter relay. After retiring from competition, the running champion established a foundation for disadvantaged youth to encourage them to study and participate in athletics. Her answer to admirers who longed to be just like her: "Don't be just like me. Be better than me."
Hepburn,
Katharine (1907-2003) Hepburn's career
spanned seven decades, she was nominated for a dozen Best Actress Oscars
and winner of four. She was perhaps the most decorated actor, male or female,
in the industry. Hepburn's contributions to society far exceeded her triumphs
of stage and screen. She didn't just play strong women--she was a strong
woman. A fixture on annual lists of the most admired, Hepburn was the quintessential
independent woman who took control both personally and professionally.
Quotes: “I never realized until lately that women were supposed
to be the inferior sex.” - "I'm a personality as
well as an actress. Show me an actress who isn't a personality, and you'll
show
me a woman
who isn't a star."
Joyner-Kersey, Jackie (1962 - ) Jackie Joyner-Kersee is often regarded as the best all-around athlete in the world and the all-time greatest heptathlete. 2-time world champion in both long jump (1987,91) and heptathlon (1987,93); won heptathlon gold medals at 1988 and '92 Olympics and Long Jump gold at '88 Games; also won Olympic silver (1984) in heptathlon and bronze (1992,96) in Long Jump; Sullivan Award winner (1986); only woman to receive The Sporting News Man of Year award. At 23 feet and nine inches, she holds the American record for the long jump. With her score of 7,161, she was the first woman to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon, and has held the heptathlon world record since 1986. Kersee may be the greatest female athlete to ever live, but she is more importantly a most compassionate and inspiring person, with a strong pride in who she is and a clear vision of what she wants to do for others. Quote: "Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind."
King,
Coretta Scott (1927- ) After
her husband's assassination, Coretta Scott King made a swift transition from
a dedicated wife and parent living in comparative seclusion to a dynamic
civil rights and peace crusader in her own right. She speaks passionately
on issues of economic and racial justice, women’s and children’s
rights, gay and lesbian dignity, religious freedom, the needs of the poor
and homeless, full-employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear
disarmament and ecological sanity. Quote: “Hate is too great a
burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”
Leslie, Lisa (1972- ) Basketball player. 2-time WNBA Finals MVP (2001-02) with the champion Los Angeles Sparks; 2001 regular season MVP; 3-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP (1999,2001-02); 2-time Olympic gold medalist (1996,2000); consensus National Player of the Year at USC (1994). In the WNBA she ave. 16.9 pts and 10.4 rebounds/game in the Olympics she ave. 19.5 pts and 7.3 rebounds/game. She was also the first woman to slam dunk in a professional game. In addition to her sports accomplishments, Leslie is a spokesperson for breast cancer awareness and prevention. She travels the country to speak on the topic and her public service announcements are shown on television and at sports arenas.
Novello, Antonia (1944- ) First woman and first Hispanic to be named Surgeon General of the United States. A pediatrician, Novello has used her position to alleviate suffering worldwide, especially for women and children.
Oakley, Anne (1860-1926) Markswoman, was probably the nation's finest. A performer for many years with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Oakley was a staunch supporter of other women's opportunities and raised funds to send needy women to college and nursing school. She was injured in a train accident in 1901 that ended her career with the Wild West. After she recovered, she went on to shoot in charity events to help orphans, widows and underprivileged women. She campaigned for women's rights to hold paid employment, earn equal pay and to participate in sports and defend herself in her own home and on city streets.
Parks, Rosa (1913- ) Known as "the mother of the Civil Rights Movement," when, in 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. The event sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, the first major effort in the Civil Rights struggle.
Roosevelt, Eleanor (1884-1962) The trailblazing First Lady and wife of President Franklin Roosevelt. She spent her adult years working in politics and social reform. Her warmth and compassion inspired the nation, and she later became U.S. Delegate to the United Nations. The U.N. Declaration of Human Rights was largely her work, and she chaired the first-ever Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (1961). Quote: "I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall." Note: She has so many inspirational quotes but that one just made me LOL. I'll end on another of my faves: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Teresa, Mother
(1910-1997) 1979 Nobel Peace
Prize winner. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was the daughter of Albanian parents -- a
grocer and his wife. She was
inspired to work in India by reports sent home from Jesuit missionaries in
Bengal. At 18, she left home to join a community of Irish nuns with a mission
in Calcutta. She spent 17 years teaching and being principal of St. Mary's high
school in Calcutta. However, in 1946, her life changed forever. "It was in the train I heard the
call to give up all and follow him to the slums to serve him among the poorest
of the poor," she remembered.
Two years later, Pope Pius XII granted permission for her to leave her
order. After taking a medical
training course to prepare for her new mission, she went into the slums of
Calcutta to start a school for children. In 1950, the community she founded,
the Missionaries of Charity, was recognized by the Vatican as a pontifical
congregation. What began as an order with 12 members has grown to more than
4,000 nuns running orphanages, AIDS hospices and other charity centers
worldwide. Quotes: "I know God
will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me
so much."; "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just
one." And "I do not pray for success, I ask
for faithfulness."
Tubman,
Harriet (1820-1913) Tubman was born into a slave family in Maryland in either
1820 or 1821. After she escaped to the North, she was determined to help
her family and others flee slavery. As the best known conductor of the
Underground
Railroad, Tubman made some 19 trips to the South between 1850 and 1860
leading around 300 people to freedom. Her courageous exploits earned her
the nickname "Moses".
During the Civil War, she continued to work freeing slaves, and also aided
the Union as a nurse, spy, and military leader. After the war,
she remained active for such causes as equality in education, women's suffrage,
and care of the sick and elderly. Quote: "I had reasoned
this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right
to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have
the other."
Winfrey, Oprah (1954- ) The first African American woman to own her own television production company and who became television's highest-paid entertainer. As host of the nation's most successful talk show, Winfrey reaches more that 15 million people every day. She is an advocate for ending child abuse, and she contributes generously to colleges and universities. Quote: "Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism."