Farewell fair lady...Bea Arthur

Today we say goodbye to one of my all time favorite comedienne's Bea Arthur. From the 70's sitcom Maude to the 80's Golden Girls, Bea's acid wit helped her achieve success in any titled character she chose to portray.As a young woman watching I had no clue what it meant to be an outspoken liberal feminist, but I knew I wanted to be one. Sociopolitical topics my own mother wouldn't address, Bea's series hit them all. Especially during times when it was considered taboo ( the big no-no's) I love my mother but she had a hard enough time addressing my menestral cycle. Here is Bea Arthur on T.V talking about divorce, alcoholism, spousal abuse and even a pregnacy late in life, while my mom reads uncomfortably from a little red book on how to explain the cycle of life. Have no misunderstandings, it's how women were taught. The subjects were not only shunned but extremely uncomfortable. Subjects better kept private, things young women didn't discuss much less knew about. In my opinion as it is, this is what made Bea's series so groundbreaking, astounding and one felt compelled to watch each week. My mother, aunts and neighborhood friends gathered around to watch Maude.I remember the first time I seen her on All in the family, matching wits with Archie Bunker. I thought wow, I'm going to be just like her one day. A woman unafraid to speak her mind, one expressing her intelligence and the best part of all; she held her own with a man. It was great, inspiring, unheard of and I watch that episode over and over still today.I absolutely loved her and always will. No award ever earned will define the magnatude of what she contributed to women of many generations. We are fearless, strong, confident and forever pioneers. Lady love Bea Arthur, you will forever be loved and missed.