Lucille Ball

A teenage girl, at the age of 15, dropped out of high school and traveled far away from home to go to a theatre and drama school. However, the school felt she was wasting her time towards an acting career because she was too shy. This girl was no one other than Lucille Ball. For three years, Lucy starred in a radio show called My Favorite Husband. It lead her to I Love Lucy, her six-seasoned, hit sitcom that she shared with her husband, Desi Arnaz, and her two children. She received over 20 awards along with five Emmy awards for her television series and other film productions. Ball's productions and roles in several films and television shows ignited her strength to stand up for her beliefs. Capable to face challenges and triumphantly overcome them, she pursued her acting career along with supporting her family. Lucille Ball is classified as a hero because she pursued a career beyond the traditional path for women of her time while upholding traits of perseverance and courage.

First, Lucy Ball did not follow the expectations of a woman of the 40's- 50's. Rather than cooking and cleaning at home all day while the husband provided the income, Ball continued her acting career throughout her marriage: "Ball and her husband, Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, in 1950 bought the RKO film studio properties and ambitiously formed their own production company, Desilu, to develop and produce television shows" (Baughman, Judith S.). In this decision, Lucille differentiated herself from household mothers who relied on the man to pay the bills. Lucy and Desi instead chose to share their career as one and finance their family while working together toward the same goal. Lucy prospered in her career while directing her unique future: "Ball ran Forever, Darling, becoming the first woman to head a production studio" ("Ball, Lucille"). Ball demonstrates that she didn't want to be an average woman. She planned to separate from her society and create her own path. Lucy truly set her own course for women with both her lifestyle and career.

Once Lucy put her mind to it, she could accomplish her goals. Lucille enrolled in the John Murray Anderson/Robert Milton School of Theater and Dance in 1926 but was unsuccessful. She decided to then move back home with her mother and grandparents: "By 1930, however, the desire to be a performer rose back to the surface, and Lucille Ball moved to New York City to pursue a career as an actress" (Waggoner, Eugene). This proves how Ball worked through her hardships and was able to regain her confidence in performing. Even after having a negative experience in New York, she still pushed herself to return for her career. Successfully grasping her career emphasizes how much her persistence and efforts are rewarded. When determined, Ball had the capability to achieve anything: "CBS executives were not impressed after viewing the pilot episode of the sitcom, titled I Love Lucy. To prove them wrong, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball toured the country in a vaudeville act, demonstrating the viability of the pilot to packed audiences. The CBS executives relented, and I Love Lucy went on the air, to become one of the most successful and beloved sitcoms of all time" (Waggoner). Ball became perseverant for her future sitcom to be broadcasted confirming that she never gave up. When she was determined for something, she gave it her all and pursued toward her goal. Through the use of endurance, she was guided to success. Lucille was persistent toward her tasks thus supporting her ultimate accomplishments.

Among courage, Lucille overcame her most important obstacles. Average celebrities were easily forgotten, but not Ball: "As an "aging" star in her thirties, she was constantly in danger of early replacement by up-and-coming younger actresses" ("I Love Lucy"). During this time in her life, she resembled determination due to the current celebrities that could have replaced her. Lucy's tenacity got her through a time that all stars worry about- becoming a has- been. In addition, Lucille had the audacity to stand up for herself and her loved ones: "The show's sponsor... were vehemently opposed to Arnaz being cast as Lucy's husband. Ball was adamant that he remain. When confronted with the network's belief that her television marriage to a Cuban bandleader would be unbelievable, Ball replied, 'What do you mean nobody'll believe it? We are married" (Baughman, Judith S.). In this case, Lucy firmly pushed for Arnaz to be the husband in I Love Lucy. Worried of jeopardizing her sitcom, she dared her producer to allow Arnaz play as the role of her husband which proves she was brave enough to go against a huge company over a matter that was disapproved. Ball validates herself to be fearless leading her to defeat her challenges.

Due to Lucy Ball's unique, determined and audacious personality, she is an inspirational hero that will be cherished forever. Ball, in company with Arnaz, prospered her career when she victoriously created her own production studio. She persevered and thus set herself as the first woman to accomplish this achievement. Courageously, Ball stood up against CBS in 1950 for her husband to join her on I Love Lucy and successfully won her case. With Lucille's endurance, the show was discovered and became one of the most popular television shows of the 50's. When young Ball daringly left home for her first acting experience, she was rejected. But to her, that was merely a minor setback. Her reaction to this delay is what made her so unique to me. She pulled herself up, pushed herself harder, and returned to the film industry to reattempt her ultimate goal. I find Ball a deserving hero because through tough times she continuously pursued her dreams. By differentiating herself, she revolutionized the lives of wives, actresses and mothers. Her courage and persistence for what she believed in repeatedly led her to success. Furthermore, "Lucy was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame on October 5, 2002" ("Lucille Ball"). This is inspirational to me because Ball continues to be remembered and admired by her beloved fans. It truly reveals she was a remarkable woman. By showing that one can do whatever they set their mind to, Lucille Ball boldly individualized her career and family. Her heroic traits and lifestyle portrays why I love Lucy.

Works Cited

"BALL, Lucille." (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.

"I Love Lucy." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et al. Vol. 6: 1950-1959. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 303-304. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.

"Lucille Ball." Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 1989. Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.

Waggoner, Eugene N., Jr. "Famous Clowns." Famous Clowns. N.p., 17 June 2011. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://famousclowns.org/famous-clowns/lucille-ball-biography/#comment-466>.