In the early years of Sesame Street, there were almost none. In the human cast there were plenty of roles for both men AND women, but the puppet characters were almost entirely male. How come?
The best-known exception was Prairie Dawn.
...and even SHE didn't get much airtime. and when she did, there was frequent upstaging on behalf of the better-known (male) talent.
Click to view... Doesn't even get to bow.
You would see girl puppets in the occasional background or appearing as part of an ensemble, but they rarely were given their own identities or even a name.
Betty Lou was given a name...
...but as you can see, she's pretty much the same puppet as Prairie Dawn, just with pigtails instead of straight hair. I bet those two were enemies. ...or else best friends? Difficult to say since they never appeared on screen together, hmmm...
Otherwise, unless Gladys the Cow "counts," the only other girl puppet given any significant role was Forgetful Jones' girlfriend Clementine, who is evidently the most patient and understanding girlfriend a guy has ever had. If a gal has ever been entitled to completely "lose it," it's her. What does she see in him?
Click to view... Get a clue.
and what about MONSTERS?
All of the "monster" characters were male back then, something that has obviously changed in the years since. Quite a FEW of them are girls now, you see them everywhere. What took so long?
Click to view... Puppets liberated.
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