Nancy Drew

An editorial in the Washington Post and several recent news stories reminded me that books can have an amazing impact on young readers. Seems some very prominent women were huge Nancy Drew fans during their most impressionable years. While I cannot claim prominence, I can include myself in this group. What did I learn from Nancy? That girls can take risks and succeed, be smart and self sufficient. Nancy could and did do anything, and so could I. For a young woman growing up in the fifties when gender bias and stereotypical roles were the accepted norm, the lessions learned from Nancy were invaluable. I have a Ph.D. because Nancy Drew taught me that I was clever enough and strong enough to rule! Those hours spent with the girl detective were some of the most productive of my life, and it's about time I said thank you!