Wise or protective women role models in literature, films and television.

[RainbowsAndPuddings]

A friend of mine is having therapy. One of the tasks she's been set is to come up with names of one wise figure and one protective figure. These can be real life people, or from literature, television or films.

She and I have been discussing this and have found that it's really hard to think of women who fit this category, especially in books, television and film. And she can't think of any man who she could identify with who would fit these roles.

Are we being unreasonable to think there aren't many women portrayed in this manner? We thought we'd ask Mumsnet for suggestions.

Andi Osho’s character in Blue Lights

Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley

Marmee in Little Women.

Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager is both.

Seven of Nine's journey in the same shows her becoming both and she is very much the finished article by Star Trek: Picard.

Good to see a decent number of suggestions. But it's been a storytelling tradition for centuries to dispose of the protective mother figure as early in the story as possible. Creates immediate tension that carries the rest of the story- essentially losing the mother is 'where the trouble begins'. Protective wise women are much rarer in fiction than in real life.

I loved the main character in The Mare of Eastown played by Kate Winslet

Elsa and Anna in Frozen, I'd say they each take on one or both of these roles over most of the course of the two films. Same for most lead female characters in Disney films since Jennifer Lee got involved.

Arguably all of the Little Women in their own ways (yes, even the much-hated Amy) and their Mum.

I suppose it depends on your criteria. Do they need to be seen as wise / protective throughout the piece or are moments in each of those roles enough? Eg Dorothy attains wisdom by the end of the Wizard of Oz but certainly behaves protectively towards the other characters throughout, starting with Toto.

It's an interesting question to ponder, thanks for sharing.

Go back to the original soap opera genre and there are lots of strong female characters who fit this role/roles. Rita, Bet Lynch, Elsie Tanner from Corrie and even more up to date characters like Peggy Mitchell and Kat in EE or Eileen in Corrie. How about Helen Daniel’s in Neighbours as well? Miss Ellie from Dallas?

Watch very old episodes of Coronation street, you'll see it in abundance. Don't go to lofty literature, you'll see it in Catherine Cookson books. I can think of many. The TV series, the Vikings had impressive female characters (some who existed). Think hardship/survival. Lily Ebert stories about how her Mother and Sister (who died within days of Auschwitz liberation) are inspiring and tragic.

The Bride in Kill Bill

Just watched 'one battle after another' in the cinema (highly recommend). Regina hall's character. But also major plot line is a (different) womam putting herself first.

@PuppyMonkey great minds think alike 😁 . We need Northern WC women for this one. I loved the line from call the midwife, when Pearl said to MW Jenny "I bet you think we are right scrubbers" and Jenny replied "I think you are all heroines". Jenny first arrived with so much judgement.

When thinking of strong women, my first thought is always Jenny Fields in The World according to Garp

Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager is both.

She was a power-crazed narcissist that delayed the return of her ship by decades!

Maya angelou

The Dean, the Warden and Miss Lydgate in Dorothy L Sayers’ Gaudy Night, Mrs Ramsay in To the Lighthouse, Laura Testvalley in Edith Wharton’s The Buccaneers, the Reverend Mother in Kathryn Hulme’s The Nun’s Story, Miss Temple and Helen Burns in Jane Eyre, McGonagle in the HP books, Clarissa in Mrs Dalloway, Marmee in Little Women, Marilla (and later Anne herself) in Anne of Green Gables, Helen Archer in Kate O’Brien’s The Land of Spices and Eleanor in the same author’s The Flower of May, Tehanu in the Earthsea series, Galadriel in LotR, Dinah Morrissey in George Eliot’s Adam Brede, Mrs Bolton in Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

The car immobilising nuns in The Sound of Music!

Olivia and Esther Walton
Ma Larkin
Sal in Jam and Jerusalem
Tannie Maria in Recipes for Love and Murder
Louisa Durrell
Mrs Hall in All Creatures Great and Small

Um, probably not Louisa Durrell. Even in Gerald's books she's at best well-meaning. In real life .... a disaster.

Josephine Baker. She may now mostly be remembered to the banana skirt photo, but she was a remarkable woman. Not merely taking charge of her career and making it a huge success at a time when women, and particularly black women, had very little power. But also joined the French resistance, and worked with British and US intelligence during the war, did a lot for the US civil rights movevent, and adopted 12 orphans.

Merida in Brave - protective of her own individuality and independence

Lots of excellent replies. Mine aren't very lofty!

Sarah Connor - Terminator

Pippa- Home & Away

Ma Larkin

And almost certainly not what your friend is after but she is wise (albeit delightfullly bonkers) - The Log Lady - Twin Peaks.

Why do they have to be fictional characters? Loads of wise and protective women IRL.

Dolly Parton. I'm always struck by how well she carries herself and how measured she is. A formidable lady.

They can be real life women. I nominate Jane Goodall.