Believe it or not, the term “Girl Friday” is actually a variation of “Man Friday,” which was originally coined from the character Friday in Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Crusoe is an Englishman shipwrecked on a deserted Caribbean island and when he rescues one of the natives from cannibals, he makes him his servant. Crusoe names him “Friday” after the exact day of the week he rescued him. He takes Friday under his wings and teaches him English and converts him to Christianity. In return, Friday helps him with everything.
A “Girl Friday,” is also a woman devoted to helping those she works with. What makes a “Girl Friday” now is that we are women and can do everything. (I am woman. Let me hear you roar! Yes, I just said that.) If you are a mother, a wife, a friend, a volunteer, a giver, a hard worker, a multi-tasker, a problem solver, and a jill-of-all trades, then you are a “Girl Friday.” We love to help others and love to see everyone succeed. A “Girl Friday” is not a “Damsel in Distress,” nor is she an “Action Girl,” instead her main job is to help “the Hero.” (her boss.)
Sometimes the “Girl Friday” characters will put their own dreams behind everyone else’s dreams, but I’m here to tell you it’s possible to have both. You have to learn to please others, but also learn to please and be yourself in the process. Learn that sometimes “No” or “Maybe later” can be correct responses. And always remember to follow your dreams, your love, your passion, and those around you will slowly understand.
“Girl Friday” characters are also often fantastic at multitasking. Multi-taskers can often be seen as flighty or absent-minded at times, but we’re brilliant, strong individuals who more often than not know how to think outside the box. While you may color inside the lines, we see the beauty of coloring outside the lines as well. We are the backbone to some of the most powerful people out there.
My questions to you this month are what makes you a “Girl Friday,” and who do you think can be seen as a “Girl Friday” character on your favorite TV show, your favorite movie, or in the book you can’t put down? I can think of Roz on Fraiser, Mary on Mary Tyler Moore (my mom’s favorite show so I’ve seen every episode more than once), Gwen Ives in Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (my dad’s favorite novel), and my personal favorite, Pepper Potts in Iron Man (She’s a bit kick-ass, but always lends a hand to Mr. Stark).
About Heather Riccio
Does anyone watch the tv show Suits? Donna the executive assistant to the main lawyer is portrayed as the glue that makes the firm run smoothly. Her part in the show is not that big, but everyone turns to her for help, or information, or to ask how who’s connected to who. She’s smart and pretty and it seems she has everyone right where she wants them.
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Heather Riccio Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
I love Suits and Donna is the perfect example! Did you see this week’s episode? It shows just how far she’s willing to go to protect her boss.
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My parents jokingly call me a Pioneer Woman because I can clean, cook, mother, wife, write, and do myriad other things all at once. That’s pretty close to being a Girl Friday, in my book.
Samantha from Bewitched would be a fun one because she gets to use a bit of magic to help her with her chores.
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Heather Riccio Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Sounds kind of like me. My friends are seriously freaked out because I don’t have to look at the keyboard to type. I can just type and talk on the phone while texting at the same time. Ah technology helps multi-taskers!!
And Samantha from Bewitched would be a great one. I didn’t even think about her, but she is definitely a “Girl Friday!”
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On West Wing Mrs. Landringham made a great Girl Friday. I still miss that show
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Heather Riccio Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
I completely forgot about West Wing. That was a fantastic show. Have you seen Aaron Sorkin’s new show on HBO, The Newsroom? You might like it!
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I plan to write a “Girl Friday” in my Greek gods series. Effie.
Not sure she qualifies totally, but technical analyst Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds is the oracle of all knowledge, and regularly saves her people’s butts. And of course there’s James Bond’s Moneypenny and of course Sam Spade’s Effie Perine.
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Heather Riccio Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 9:57 am
I love that you are going to write a “Girl Friday” in the Greek gods series.
And those are all great examples of variations on “Girl Friday” characters.
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I’m the minivan version of the girl friday. The Mom Friday maybe? ANyway, I loved Pepper Pots in the Iron Man movies and I think Hermione Granger was definitely a fab girl friday to the bespeckled Potter boy
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Heather Riccio Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 9:58 am
LOL, I love Mom Friday!
Hermoine Granger is a great “Girl Friday” example as well. She proves a “Girl Friday” can be any age.
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I’d say Peggy from Mad Men, certainly at the beginning of the series. She reminds me of me back when I worked in the corporate world, rather than writing editorials in my PJ’s while waiting for the washing to dry, the baby to wake and plotting the next book for the heroine who wont leave me alone. Girl Friday’s unite. Great post, got me thinking, thanks.
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I’ll agree that Peggy from Mad Men was a Girl Friday character in the beginning. Yes, Girl Friday’s unite! You’re very welcome!
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