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 new paperback edition of the book includes a 15-page afterword, updating the story of the Ames girls.
Meet Jeff Zaslow: www.jeffzaslow.com
