Charlotte Whitton once said, "Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good." This is especially true for female science fiction/fantasy writers, such as Anne McCaffrey. A well known science fiction/fantasy writer, McCaffrey has written over 80 novels since her first book, Restoree, in 1967. In her narratives, Anne McCaffrey obliterates the traditional role of women in science fiction/ fantasy by creating female characters that are courageous, ambitious, and intelligent.
             Anne McCaffrey is perhaps best known for her "Dragon Riders of Pern" series, a mixture of both science fiction and fantasy. Her first novel of the series, Dragonflight, written in 1968, brought her instant recognition in the science fiction/fantasy community because its protagonist is a woman. "Dragonflight focuses upon an independent, courageous female protagonist, Lessa, who reappears as a minor character in the later novels" (Mainiero 64). Lessa, the only living descendant of the line of Ruatha (a prestigious hold on Pern), has to let go of her claim on Ruatha in order to become something greater – Weyrwoman (a rank held in high esteem by all the people of Pern) of Benden Weyr. Dragonflight tells of the obstacles she must overcome in order to save her planet from the destruction of the Thread that rains down.
             From the very beginning of Dragonflight, McCaffrey portrays Lessa as much stronger than most other women on the planet.
             ...each rider depositing a young woman until there were twelve girls, including Lessa...She regarded them curiously, contemptuous of their tears, although her heart was probably beating no less rapidly than theirs. It did not occur to her that tears were any help. The girls were not injured in any way that she could see, so why such weeping...Let them be afraid. She was Lessa of Ruatha and did not need to be afraid. (Dragonflight 80)
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