Portrait of a Lady

I just recently discovered the lucid work of the twentieth century British painter, Meredith Frampton. I particularly like his portraits of ladies from the 1920s as to me they represent the physical epitomy of elegance. It got me to wondering though about what makes a woman a Lady. I've always wanted to be considered a Lady although I do have a mischievous side that is probably far from ladylike!

 

Being a Lady, however, is not really about how you dress or how you look so much as it is about your character. How do you view yourself, the world, and those around you and how do you act towards them? Below I have come up with a description about what I think it means to be a Lady although I am sure there are things that I have missed.

 

A lady tries to put the feelings of others before her own. She is polite and respectful. She assumes responsibility for her actions. She goes out of her way to protect the dignity of others. She uses her strengths to gently infuse comfort and warmth into the lives of others. She keeps her given word. She is trustworthy. She conducts herself with grace and self-respect. She appreciates and accepts the courtesy paid to her by a gentleman. She does not seek to rise above him, but rather supports him – if he is a real gentleman – and defers to him.

 

I don't know about you but I find this to be an intimidating model to follow! Nevertheless, it is something I would like to strive to be even though I'm sure it will take the rest of my life to even come close. You cannot achieve, however, what you do not attempt. What do you think it means to be a Lady?