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Dear Rhoda
I first saw you when I was five years old.
When I was good, my parents let me stay up late on Saturday night to watch you on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. I was always excited when it was your turn to be in a scene.
You were so funny.
Women like you, Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance, and Ann B. Davis helped to shape my sense of humor back in the 1970s. You showed this young, insecure girl that smart and hilarious mattered more than pretty.
I remember laughing so hard during the episode where you and Mary were asked to be bridesmaids for Twinks, Mary’s old acquaintance from summer camp. Seeing you in that ridiculous dress looking annoyed taught me that I could reject old ideas about feminism. Some of the expectations for girls were ridiculous. Knowing the clothing didn’t always fit me the way it should because of my size, that gave me comfort that I could both laugh at myself and define my own style.
Then there was the time when Mary was actually on a losing streak, and you were enjoying a happy time. You gave her this sage advice:
Rhoda: “Eat some candy.”
Mary: “Rhoda, chocolate solves nothing.”
Rhoda: “No, no no. Cottage cheese solves nothing. Chocolate can do it all.”