June Cleaver Was a Feminist!

Long dismissed as ciphers, sycophants and "e;Stepford Wives,"e; women characters of primetime television during the 1950s through the 1980s are overdue for this careful reassessment. From smart, savvy wives and resilient mothers (including the much-maligned June Cleaver and Donna Reed) to talented working women (long before the debut of "e;Mary Tyler Moore"e;) to crimebusters and even criminals, American women on television emerge as a diverse, empowered, individualistic, and capable lot, highly worthy of emulation and appreciation.