The lights were dimmed on Broadway in her honor, but fortunately for everyone, her glow will resonate within us forever. Wendy Wasserstein made an impact that will last beyond her name recognition, particularly to women. She revolutionized perceptions about women and, although I didn’t know her, I loved her dearly. She was 55 when she died early this month, silenced by cancer but never by critics.

Wendy Wasserstein created The Heidi Chronicles, closely identified in later years with Sex and the City. She also penned The Sisters Rosensweig, Isn’t it Romantic, Old Money, Sloth, Bachelor Girls, and Shiksa Goddess, all of which launched many famous actresses – Glenn Close, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jamie Lee Curtis, Meryl Streep. In turn, she received constant critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Everything Wendy Wasserstein did impacted even the staunchest “non feminist.” In her own inimitable way, she made it okay to be alone … to have an identity by one’s self that was not dependent on a man. She spoke to the women who said they were not satisfied in life, that they felt empty, and made them believe they were an integral part of society. Women wanted not only romance and companionship, but intellectual identity and independence. She gave self-doubt a life of its own and put energy into animations of women surviving without men. Suddenly, it was okay for women to be funny. In fact, she showed that humor can be greatest survival tool in life.

To her, women were always “girls,” but she could say it to women who wouldn’t allow the same from men. “Girls” was pejorative, except to Wendy Wasserstein.

So, girls, say goodbye to Wendy. She’ll be sadly missed.