Fictional role models for an aspiring female journalist

Our building’s lobby will be home to scenes from the new “Superman” movie that’s being produced in Chicago.

Riding up the elevator to work that day, I couldn’t help but think about how much Lois Lane had influenced my journalism career—and that I have her to thank for starting out my day with a pen and paper.

Headstrong and tough, Lois Lane was based on the real-life journalist, Nellie Bly. She was known around Metropolis as a top-notch investigative journalist. And even though she was Superman’s love interest, she was Clark Kent’s equal in the newsroom.

Plus, she had brown hair—just like me.

But it’s not just Lois Lane who helped shaped my career. There are six more women in pop culture that have taught me a lot about journalism.

Ladies, which fictional journalism role model inspired you?

Harriet the Spy

If you read “Harriet the Spy,” you’ll come away with a great tip: Always carry a notebook. Harriet is an active observer in the world around her, walking around and listening to what people around her are saying. The State Department might want to claim her as one of their own, but we all know that the mischievous, secretive Harriet is ours: a cub reporter in the making.

Carrie Bradshaw