In this week’s Roommates Who Rock, we pay tribute to the original working girls – Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney. Not just a silly sitcom, Laverne & Shirley impacted a generation and moved the ball on women’s rights as much as any stalled ERA legislation would.
Airing from 1976 to 1983, Laverne & Shirley was really the first TV show to put the spotlight on the relationship of two women living together – and the power of their friendship. Would we have had Three’s Company and Friends without Laverne & Shirley?
But, it is more than that. Laverne & Shirley, set in the 1950s and 1960s, showed us a new generation of women. Laverne and Shirley had jobs, they had friends of the opposite sex (who can forget Lenny and Squiggy?), they didn’t always get the guy (Carmine – what a catch) and – gasp – they didn’t live at home until they got married right out of school. These were girls who worked hard (remember the pizzeria) but always managed to have fun (think glove on the bottle of beer). And, they even up and moved to California when the writers jumped the shark.
But, most of all, they showed the power of friendship. And, as studies continue to show, friendship can be a key to better sleep, improved immunities and just overall greater happiness.
So, kudos and thanks to Laverne & Shirley, who made it acceptable for women who are “making their dreams come true.” In honor of our Roommates Who Rock, let’s all do something nice for our roommate this week.
Nominate your roommate for a spot on the “Roommates Who Rock” Wall of Fame. You can also email us at [email protected].
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