Video montage of the Ames girls growing up
(Childhood photos on left, high school graduation photos, current photos right)
Marilyn
The doctor’s daughter; earnest, risk-averse, a bit of an outsider in the group, closest to Jane. Now a stay-at-home mom in Minnesota.
Karla
Adopted at birth; lively and lovable, but as a girl, not always sure of herself; first to have a child (her daughter Christie). Now a stay-at-home mom.
Sheila
The dentist’s daughter; considered the sweetest of the girls growing up; an incorrigible flirt. Left Ames for Chicago to help families with ill children. Never married.
Kelly
Free-spirit of the group, and the most likely to surprise them with her words and actions. Now divorced, and a high-school teacher in Minnesota.
Jane
Smart, studious, bonded with Marilyn, and the only Jewish member of the group. Now a psychology professor outside Boston.
Diana
Known as the beauty of the group. Now married with three daughters. Certified Public Accountant by profession; now works in a Starbucks in Arizona by choice.
Cathy
Last of seven siblings, which made her more worldly as a girl. Never married. Now works as a make-up artist in Los Angeles.
Sally
Smart, funny but at the periphery of group in early years; brought into the friendship by Cathy. Now a teacher, and the only one remaining in Iowa.
Karen
The auto-dealer’s daughter. Longtime nickname: “Woman.” Now a stay-at-home mom near Philadelphia.
Jenny
One of the archivists of the friendship; close to Sheila; last of the girls to have children. Now assistant dean at University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Angela
Newest member of group; arrived in town in ninth grade, when her father came to manage local Holiday Inn. Now runs PR firm in North Carolina.
The Ames Girls today. Click to enlarge.
Top: Karla, Cathy, Sally, Karen
Middle: Jane, Angela, Marilyn
Bottom: Diana, Jenny, Kelly
Photo by Teness Herman
Photo by Teness Herman
The paperback edition of the book will be released on April 6, 2010, and will include a 15-page afterword, updating the story of the Ames girls. The paperback is now available for preorder at the Web sites for Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble and other national and independent booksellers.
