Smart Is Cool

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Jul 31st 2007 11:39AM

Categories: Teens & tweens, Money & Work, Celeb Kids, Life & Style, In The News, Education, That's Entertainment

Wow, I'm really liking Danica McKellar these days. I mean, consider her list of accomplishments: She did a bang up job playing Winnie Cooper on 'The Wonder Years' way back when. She co-authored the proof of a mathematics theorem. Her math book for middle school girls came out this month. And as if that weren't enough, she's come out publicly stating what has always seemed obvious to me -- smart is cool.

In an upcoming interview in Newsweek magazine, she lashes out at celebrities who eschew intelligence for notoriety. "When girls see the antics of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, they think that being fun and glamorous also means being dumb and irresponsible, but I want to show them that being smart is cool," she said. "Being good at math is cool. And not only that, it can help them get what they want out of life."

In addition to homework and test tips, her new book includes profiles of three beautiful mathematicians (presumably aside from herself.) Her message is simple: "I want to tell girls that cute and dumb isn't as good as cute and smart."

You want a positive role model for your daughters? Here ya go. Could you get any better than this?

Source

Comments (9)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Laura AS1 7-31-2007 @ 1:34PM

Way to go, Winnie Cooper! We need more role models like you for our kids.

Jenna 7-31-2007 @ 4:28PM

I always knew that Winnie Cooper was special. Go, Danica!

Cyndi 8-06-2007 @ 5:15PM

I personally never liked Wonder Years but I want my girls to know who Danica is. My girls are both labeled "gifted" and are both beautiful. (I have been asked about modeling and pagaents neither of which I will allow.) I am grateful there is finally someone who is famous, smart and beautiful they can look up too.

322 8-07-2007 @ 2:22PM

I agree, Danica. Smart IS cool!

Political smarts, above all = GOLDEN

www.freewebs.com/911truthseeker

Sue 8-07-2007 @ 3:13PM

Hooray for a new role model for girls-hooray for the media giving some attention to someone who actually deserves it!!

Holly 8-07-2007 @ 3:46PM

Anybody else notice the ParentDish family graphic at the top of this page is incredibly sexist?

Dad is standing with arms in a relaxed, confident gesture. Son has shoulders squared.

Mom is standing *behind* Dad, not beside, her arms limply hanging at her sides. Daughter is practically *hiding* behind Mom!

Very sad, given the content of this article.

Get with it, ParentDish, or don't expect me to come back.

Shell 8-07-2007 @ 3:47PM

All I can say is, "Thank goodness, and it's about time!" Now, can we start a write in campaign to get her on the cover of major magazines, and get the kind of media attention those undeserving twits receive?

butynbreyn 8-07-2007 @ 4:14PM

Good for you, Danica. I wish young celebrities think like you. Keep up the good work.

Allie 8-07-2007 @ 10:07PM

Oh please, #6. Who the heck even notices things like that, much less gets offended by it. I'm a female and I don't see anything wrong, offensive, or "sexist" about that picture in the least. People are just ridiculously sensitive..... especially feminists. Get over yourselves already. Sooo sick and tired of the feminists ranting and raving over nonsense. It's not model "feminine" behavior in the least. Grow up and act like a lady. Take offense over things that matter, not something so stupid as a meaningless graphic on a web page.

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