Who Makes a Good Female Role Model?

I'd like to think of myself as a strong woman and as a fan of "real" females in literature.  Part of the reason I wanted to write a YA book with a female protagonist is because I am often bothered by the cliche of the girl who needs saving.  While I enjoyed the Twilight series, I (like many, many others) was bothered by the fact that Bella only feels like she is strong, smart, beautiful, etc. once she becomes a vampire.  I much prefer September from Catherynne Valente's beautifully written The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Boat of Her Own Making.  If you haven't read it and its sequel (The Girl Who Fell Below Fairyland and Led the Revels There), stop reading this and go read that. Just look at those glorious titles.  It's clear who's in charge in these books.

As I'm writing, however, I am finding it hard to develop a character that represents my ideals.  My protagonist is an outsider, struggling to maintain her sense of self when faced with some major challenges. I want to help her, to save her by introducing characters who will help her understand her self-worth.  But it's a fine line between having others help you and not helping yourself.

Not to mention which, while watching the women's Wimbledon final today, I found myself initially cheering against Marion Bartoli, the eventual champion.  She's relatively out of shape.  She always looks unhappy. She has a weird relationship with her father (her former coach). She's fist-pumping after every point, including to total strangers who aren't even cheering for her.

Until I realize that's exactly why I should be cheering for her.  Bartoli, brunette, diminutive, tough (today at least) is facing down yet another tall, pretty blonde, who can't stop crying. The crowd isn't behind her.  She's having to do all the work for herself and doesn't seem to care what she looks like doing it.  When she wins the tournament for the first time in her long career, she responds with a winning mix of humility, bravado, grace, and awkwardness.  Watching her inelegant climb in and out of the friends and family box, I see myself in her.

Bartoli v Lisicki

I don't end up liking her exactly (I'm still a big fan of the unapologetically strong Serena Williams), but I appreciate what she's made me consider: that flaws make for an interesting character but that it's also going to be a delicate balancing act in keeping my protagonist complex yet likable, strong yet relateable.  I am going to keep Bartoli in mind as write, both for her strengths and weaknesses, as a model and a reality check.