Superheroes, wizards, teachers, troublemakers and ordinary girls -- book lovers honored them all on Saturday in a spontaneous celebration via the hashtag #WomenInFiction.
The hashtag appeared to originate Saturday afternoon when Preeti Chhibber, a marketing manager for HarperCollins Children's Books, began tweeting about strong women writers and beloved women characters.
"Cuz you know what's awesome?" she wrote on the microblogging site. "Reading about ladies who are real, actual people." Chhibber tweeted the hashtag soon thereafter and the twittersphere responded in kind. By 7 p.m. PDT on Saturday night, the hashtag was trending in the U.S. and Canada as bookworms honored the lady authors and heroines who inspire them. (Bonus for literature lovers: It also happened to be World Poetry Day.)
From Scout to Hermione, Ms. Marvel to Elizabeth Bennet, we've selected a few of our favorite tributes, below.
Elizabeth Bennet for everything: intelligence, pride, willingness to face her weaknesses, and having the strength to say no #womeninfiction— Emma Barry (@AuthorEmmaBarry) March 22, 2015
Matilda for being a reader no matter what and refusing to let a bully get her down #womeninfiction— Rachel Manwill (@homebtwnpages) March 21, 2015
Two Esperanzas: House on Mango St & Esperanza Rising. For reminding Young Latinas that they can be heroines too. #womeninfiction— Shelley (Diaz) Vale (@sdiaz101) March 22, 2015
Ramona Quimby (for being a trouble maker, and maybe making me one, too) #womeninfiction— Preeti Chhibber (@runwithskizzers) March 21, 2015
"I am an expression of the divine… I have a right to be this way." ~Alice Walker, The Color Purple #womeninfiction— Cyndy Aleo (@cyndyaleo) March 22, 2015
Scout Finch for teaching me about compassion and justice. #womeninfiction— sally kilpatrick (@SuperWriterMom) March 22, 2015
Ms. Frizzle for taking me to some extraordinary places and making science fun. #womeninfiction— Brooke Lee (@wickedinnuendo) March 22, 2015
Katie from A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, for making sacrifices to ensure her kids got an education. #womeninfiction— Leah Mosher (@Leah_BSV) March 22, 2015
Janie from Their Eyes Were Watching God for teaching me to be true to myself #womeninfiction #youdontknowwhatImgoingtodo— sally kilpatrick (@SuperWriterMom) March 22, 2015
Mary Shelly, for writing a story on a dare that still speaks to us 200 years later. #womeninfiction— Lana Wood Johnson (@muliebris) March 22, 2015
Minerva McGonagall who was strong and caring and passionate and badass & Hermione Granger who grew up just like her!! #womeninfiction— Colette Drouillard (@Colette8765) March 22, 2015
Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, for teaching us the value of wonder and curiosity #WomenInFiction— Rebecca Hiscott (@rebeccahiscott) March 22, 2015
"And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." ~ Madeleine L'Engle #womeninfiction— Cyndy Aleo (@cyndyaleo) March 22, 2015
Kambili from Purple Hibiscus for reminding me of the girl I used to be and bad times gone #womeninfiction #ChimamandaNgoziAdiche— Randy OP (@Avalonsjewel) March 22, 2015
@mashable Jo March and Anne Shirley - smart, loyal, and feisty as hell. #WomeninFiction #lit— Lulu the Librarian (@lululibrarian) March 22, 2015
Ms. Marvel. Because finally seeing myself in a superhero is enough to make me teary. #womeninfiction— Swapna (@skrishna) March 22, 2015
Beatrice oh Beatrice, I love you so, for utilizing your best weapon--your wit. #womeninfiction— Ally Watkins (@aswatki1) March 22, 2015