The persona of the Southern woman has been a topic of fascination and a victim of stereotypes in the United States for over a century. In the late 1800s, Southern women were characterized by the popular image of the Southern Belle gracefully strolling the grounds of her father’s expansive cotton or tobacco plantation (which is still a stereotype today!). These women were seen as pampered, frail creatures who wouldn’t dare sully their hands or reputation by doing anything considered “men’s work.” They studied what was considered the important aspects of being a proper lady, like sewing, social manners and graces, dancing, and how to carry oneself. Margaret Mitchell’s iconic novel, Gone with the Wind, proved and also disparaged these ideas of the Southern woman through the story of Miss Scarlett O’Hara. Scarlett grew up in and lived the typical lavish Southern Belle life style – but once the Civil War ripped through her life, she proved to be strong, brave, and willing to do whatever it took to survive (who can forget her dramatically ripping curtains from the windows in order to have a new dress made?) – becoming anything but frail.
Fast forward to 1950’s and 60’s America and the idea of the “perfect little housewife”. These women were popularized through magazine ads, seen vacuuming the house with a toddler on her hip, all while wearing pearls and kitten heels. They were meant to be a charming accessory to their husband, and were never to step out of the cookie-cutter dimensions of a life of house-work, childcare, and being a devoted wife. Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help, paints a picture of the lives many Southern women lived and who they were supposed to be during this time period – married and never to stir up trouble. Stockett’s character, Skeeter, is a southern lady who made her education and career a priority over marriage and children, and who was not afraid to create controversy in pursuit of what was right – Civil Rights. Proving, again, the strength a Southern woman possesses.
Today, society as a whole tends to picture the South as a bunch of ignorant country hicks, which is SO NOT the case, as any classy Auburn lady will tell you! Today’s Southern woman combines the past eras of the South and the personas of Scarlett and Skeeter – as perfectly exemplified in a certain special lady, Mrs. Leigh Anne Tuohy. While she is a living, breathing, non-fictional character, let’s focus on Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of this remarkable woman in the movie, The Blind Side. On the outside, she seems to live the life of a Southern Belle, being pretty and polished with a beautiful home and family. However, she has the gumption and stern will to never let anyone walk all over her that all true Southern women today should possess – never afraid to do what is right, while always remaining strong and poised.
It is important that our young generation of Southern ladies continues to hold up the tradition of proper, strong, educated women. It seems that many young ladies see the traditions of the past to be out dated for our modern times – but all it takes is the right mind set and application! Here are some traditional aspects/rules of a true Southern woman that are perfectly applicable to your own life, and will have you feeling proud to claim your roots and to declare yourself a Southern lady:
1. Say Thank You: If anything, Southern women are polite! Always send thank you notes whenever you receive a gift, or even if someone shows you a nice gesture. Always appear grateful – to friends, professors, waiters, bus drivers, even to the annoying sales associate who wouldn’t let you return that sweater! You know the South is a gracious place – so be sure to prove it! Just throw out a “thank you so much” whenever you can, and you’ll exude polite charm.
2. Be Resourceful: Just like Scarlett with her curtains, all Southern women know how to improvise with what they have! Know how to sew – being able to do simple mending (like fixing holes or hemming a dress) will save you money and will be a life saver when you have little time! Advance your skills, and you’ll have the freedom to DIY a whole new wardrobe!
3. Educate Yourself: Today, most women are nearly completely focused on an academic education and educating themselves on the world around them (which is extremely important!). But, it’s also so important for a Southern lady to educate herself on social graces. Read up on your table and social manners – while they seem so basic and simple, you’d be surprised how many manners we forget about that the people around you would appreciate (and also be impressed by!).
4. Be Strong: No Southern woman lets others take advantage of her, and all Southern women know how to get what they want. It’s simple, don’t let people lie to you and don’t take no for an answer. Having a strong sense of determination will get you so far, and will let people know you are a woman to be taken seriously. Also, never show fear in the face of adversity. Take a deep breath, put your shoulders back, and do what you have to do without complaints. The respect you’ll gain will be immeasurable!
5. Dress Like a Million Bucks: Do your hair, slick on some lipstick, and put on your pearls. Done. But seriously, present yourself as polished and put together at all times. People will respect you if you show you respect yourself! And it’s true, pearls are just such a classic staple in a Southern woman’s wardrobe (if a string of pearls around your neck isn’t your thing, try pearl stud earrings or a bracelet of woven pearls and chains).