I Did Not Realise

That Australia has public figures so evil that meeting them makes one unfit for public office. I suppose I should not be surprised though; Terry Pratchett captured the Official Australian attitude to politicians fairly well in The Last Continent.

*shifty eyes*

"Weird. Until now I never realized just how much I need a radio-controlled indoor blimp."

*sulks* "But she's real to me."

Last night coniferous_you asked me about the qualities I find myself drawn to in characters. After answering, much later, it occurred to me that in many cases these are the sorts of characters I might look up to and wish to emulate but that very few of these role-model sorts of characters are female. Apart from the occasional Susan Sto Helit, who is there to compete with the Ned Starks and Atticus Finches of the literary fictional world?

Since I am not making a deliberate attempt to create a female character to fill that role for others (though no doubt it will be on my mind in future, now that I've thought of it), I suppose I am asking people about the characters/kinds of they look up to and/or identify with and also if they know of any female characters suitable* to serve as role models or inspirations?

Also, if you wish to make up your own question and answer that, feel free. But please say so if you do.

^_^

*As defined by you