And now to completely underscore the awesomeness of Grace Jones, I present this 2009 clip of her performing Slave to the Rhythm live, while using a hula-hoop.
You picked wonderful examples for the duality of the name Grace. Grace Kelly is a wonderful character study in history, because beneath her poise and patrician beauty she was an incredibly complex human being who suffered despite her popularity and the attention she received. I remember reading in some book about her that during the first few years of the 1960's she literally stayed in bed with the shades shut, completely depressed. She was the princess of one of the most wealthy and lavish municipalities in the world, and she was miserable because it wasn't feeding her in that way her art did. I loved finding out someone with such talent actually understood her gift and I felt badly for her that she missed it so badly after her marriage.
Grace Jones is fucking amazing. If I had to pick one person from the 20th century to define America and what it means to me, it would be her. Everything about her is aspirational; she follows no trends, she listens to no critics, she does only what she wants. She has outlived and outlasted all of her contemporaries, and in her sixties continues to put out an amazing body of work. When I think of her I always think of the Bowie line from "Life On Mars" where he sings, "she could spit in the eyes of bulls." A wonderful steely take no prisoners original.
I named my daughter Grace, because I've always been in love with name. For me Grace meant elegance, poise and certain ease with oneself, which I know sounds terribly old-fashioned, but those were asperations I had, and I wanted for my daughter. (I also inherited my mom's girl-crush on Grace Kelly).
But, you know, my daughter is very much fits with your definition: she's studious, but also very stubborn and tenacious, and def. not shy. We'll see if she grows into elegance. She's only nine.
I also want to give a shout out to another influential Grace: comedianne Gracie Allen. I guess I watched a lot of old movies growing up, because she is the second Grace I think of, after Grace Kelly. Her routines with George Burns still crack me up, and he always talked so lovingly about her even decades after she passed. True love.
@Plum-Pie: Our baby's middle name is Grace. I suspect it's no.1 as a middle name for girls because it's a nice shrapish, classy name that you can stick after those lalala names like Isabella.
One of my best-liked characters in a work of fiction was named Grace. She's not a real person, of course, but her name fit her so beautifully, and made me love the name.
As a very proud member of the Grace club, I can say that although some of the stuff doesn't apply to me (being demure, sweater sets etc), I'd say I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve.
I'm happy to have such great company! We're a pretty bad ass group of chicks.
Love the name Grace. Not to be silly, but I think it's impossible to be ungracious or ungraceful when your name is Grace. It's a self-fufilling proficy.
My initial is next week! I really hope my name is chosen (and may very well be as I can think of at least two examples who are Jez favorites).
I'm 5'4'', have immense feet and am always bumping into stuff because I forget how wide my hips are. I once gesticulated so violently whilst holding a carrot stick, that it flew across the room. A bunch of Jezebels saw me do this, so I have to fess up otherwise they will be laughing at your comment because they know my middle name is Grace.
My cousins had a wild Brittany Spaniel named Grace that would sleep curled into a tight little ball. She was thin and nervous and knew how to open car doors.
I can't help but think of the secretary from Ferris Bueller ("GRAAAAACE!!!") She was the quiet force behind Edward Rooney, and had the astute observational skills of an anthropologist in describing the highschool's social scene. She was a good egg.
It's been quite popular with Americans of Chinese or Korean descent, hasn't it? Most of the Graces I've met have Chinese or Korean ancestry. It really is a beautiful name, with a beautiful meaning.
@overnightly: There's an Asian American woman who made a documentary on this called "The Grace Lee Project." I haven't gotten a chance to see it yet, but I've been wanting to. As one of many Grace Lees, she goes around the country and interviews other Asian American women with the same name.
10/12/09
10/10/09
Grace Jones is fucking amazing. If I had to pick one person from the 20th century to define America and what it means to me, it would be her. Everything about her is aspirational; she follows no trends, she listens to no critics, she does only what she wants. She has outlived and outlasted all of her contemporaries, and in her sixties continues to put out an amazing body of work. When I think of her I always think of the Bowie line from "Life On Mars" where he sings, "she could spit in the eyes of bulls." A wonderful steely take no prisoners original.
10/09/09
But, you know, my daughter is very much fits with your definition: she's studious, but also very stubborn and tenacious, and def. not shy. We'll see if she grows into elegance. She's only nine.
I also want to give a shout out to another influential Grace: comedianne Gracie Allen. I guess I watched a lot of old movies growing up, because she is the second Grace I think of, after Grace Kelly. Her routines with George Burns still crack me up, and he always talked so lovingly about her even decades after she passed. True love.
10/09/09
*puts on headphones and listens to Warm Leatherette*
10/09/09
Grace Park is incredible - I'm so glad you mentioned her. She did just a good job as all the different 8s.
10/09/09
10/09/09
All the predispositions are true. She's very girly but curses like a sailor. And is 4 years old. Yeah, we're very proud. ;-)
10/09/09
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10/09/09
Signed,
A Nerd.
10/09/09
10/09/09
As a very proud member of the Grace club, I can say that although some of the stuff doesn't apply to me (being demure, sweater sets etc), I'd say I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve.
I'm happy to have such great company! We're a pretty bad ass group of chicks.
10/09/09
10/09/09
My initial is next week! I really hope my name is chosen (and may very well be as I can think of at least two examples who are Jez favorites).
10/09/09
10/09/09
Darling, I wish it were so.
I'm 5'4'', have immense feet and am always bumping into stuff because I forget how wide my hips are. I once gesticulated so violently whilst holding a carrot stick, that it flew across the room. A bunch of Jezebels saw me do this, so I have to fess up otherwise they will be laughing at your comment because they know my middle name is Grace.
10/09/09
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10/09/09
"What a little asshole."
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10/09/09
Grace Lee Boggs is in it, and she's always awesome.
[www.gracelee.net]
10/09/09