Mameha in Memoirs of a Geisha. The book, a historical fiction novel by Arthur Golden, is about achieving a goal, and how one has to struggle to achieve that goal. A geisha symbolizes the beauty and elegance of Japan, and Nitta Sayuri learns her art with great skill under the tutelage of Mameha, a geisha whose gentle smile hides a will of steel.
And,
Lily Casey in Half Broke Horses, a book by Jeannette Walls. Lily, a straight-talking girl of the wild west tames wild horses, beats ranch hands at poker, and saves lives with equal ease.
Both girls, Nitta Sayuri and Lily Casey handle everything Life throws at them with immense courage, determination, composure, and….a smile…