I was very saddened to hear this week that Valerie Harper, the actress who played Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and, thereafter, on the spin-off, “Rhoda” has terminal cancer.

As a young girl, I loved watching “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” with my friends. While my friends all seemed to identify with Mary, it was the character of Rhoda that truly resonated with me.

Unlike Mary, Rhoda was not physically “perfect.” She did not have naturally straight hair nor was she genuinely thin. Instead, she openly struggled with her weight as well as her naturally curly hair. Though she struggled with her physical characteristics, Rhoda proved to many young female viewers that we could rely on our intelligence and wit in order to succeed. In the early 1970’s that was a message that was not readily conveyed to young women. It was, however, a message that needed to be heard.

Ever since I have heard the sad news, I have kept Ms. Harper in my thoughts and prayers. I admire the bravery she has shown since announcing her sad news. And I thank her for the role model she continues to be.