An Ode to the Golden Girls

Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia.

It’s difficult to choose a favorite when each character was essential to the spirit of the show; Blanche’s progressiveness, Rose’s lovable cluelessness, Dorothy’s sarcastic wit, and the hysterical one-liners from Sophia.

Here are just some of the many reasons that made The Golden Girls iconic:

1. It was a show about women over 50, and that is just fantastic. Because there were few shows solely about women, especially women at this age who were dating, going through heartbreak, discovering their passions, and attending school. They were empowering.
2. The Golden Girls exemplified sisterhood and family during the hard-times. Who can forget when Blanche’s father died, or the death of Dorothy’s brother, Phil, and the many pangs of heartbreak? These were the heartfelt moments when the roommates empowered and comforted one another.
3. They were progressive on some social issues. The show tackled sexual harassment and assault more than once, illuminating the fact that assault is often unreported, and the girls encouraged one another to stand up against it. The show also involved then taboos like AIDs, sexual health, single parenting, gay rights, and interracial marriage.
4. Sophia’s insults…and then the education and responses from the other girls. They were witty and hilarious.

Basically, they made us want to gather in the kitchen and thank them for being a friend.