Top 10 Women of Mad Men

While Trudy is relegated to a supporting role for most episodes, she exemplifies the perfect 1960s wife. Beautiful and intelligent, she is faithful and loyal to her husband, the nauseating Pete Campbell, despite being cheated on and neglected at every turn. Eventually, Trudy comes to her senses and kicks Pete to the curb, which proved she was in charge of her own life. We’re just shocked it took her six seasons to finally do it.

The eldest child and only daughter of Don and Betty Draper, Sally’s character has changed significantly over the course of the series as she’s grown from a child to a young woman, from a supporting character to a more central one. Though we’d struggle to say Sally is close with her father, they’re two peas in a pod when compared to her relationship with Betty, whom she antagonizes every chance she gets. Sally can be described as both mature and immature for her age: she makes cocktails for her father and smokes with her mother, but is also prone to naivety and stubbornness. With Don and Betty as parents, however, it’s a wonder she’s made it this far.

Just when you thought Don was capable of being faithful to his wife, in walks Sylvia Rosen. An Italian beauty, Sylvia is intelligent and strong-willed, but also discontented with her life, which is perhaps what led her to Don. And what led Don to her is her resemblance to the few maternal figures he’s had in his life. Sylvia eventually ends their affair because of her relationship with Megan, Don’s wife at the time. However, the two end up in bed together one more time, only to be caught in the act by Sally. While Sylvia is just another of Don’s conquests, she gets props for how profound an effect she had on Mr. Draper.

A true personification of the modern ‘60s woman, Faye Miller is a psychologist who provided consulting work for Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, which led her straight into the path of one Don Draper. The kind of single woman who wears a wedding ring just to avoid being hit on, Faye was tough and independent; although she also has a soft side, which eventually caused Don to reveal to her the secrets of his mysterious past as Dick Whitman. The two maintained a relationship for much of Season Four until Don spontaneously decided to marry Megan. Maybe Don should’ve considered her father’s mob connections before dumping her so unceremoniously…

“Mad Men” is as much a show about independent women as it is about the advertising business, and this began in the first episode of the first season with Jewish businesswoman Rachel Menken. The head of a department store, she has a shrewd mind for business, and instantly frustrated Don by refusing to accept his ideas for her store. The two eventually reconcile, however, and – stop us if you’ve heard this one before – begin an affair. The affair eventually ends when Rachel realizes that all Don truly wants is to escape his life. Rachel was arguably the first in what would become a long-line of disastrous relationships for Don.

Of course, there are female characters on the show that Don hasn’t slept with, and one of them is the drop-dead gorgeous Jane Sterling. Jane started off as a secretary at Sterling Cooper, and instantly drew the attention of every guy in the office – including Roger Sterling. Roger begins an affair with Jane and eventually leaves his wife to marry her. Although beautiful, Jane is a heavy drinker and cares more about material possessions than anything else. She was able to keep Roger faithful for an extended period of time, although they eventually realize their marriage cannot last and agree to divorce.

Zou bisou bisou! The French-Canadian Megan represents the carefree attitude of the late-1960s, a sharp contrast to the rigid Don. Originally, Megan worked as Don’s secretary before rising through the rank to become a copywriter, although she eventually quits to pursue an acting career. Like most of Don’s girlfriends, Megan is beautiful, independent, and intelligent. She has an excellent relationship with Don’s children, and is able to keep his attention enough to prevent him from cheating – for a little while, at least. As has come to be the norm for all of Don’s romantic relationships, their marriage ends up deteriorating, but Megan got as close to Don’s heart as anyone could.

Childish, immature, petty: all words that could be used to describe Betty. A former model, Betty is now a mother who constantly belittles her children and assumes the role of the classic dissatisfied housewife. Although beautiful, her marriage to Don is full of infidelity and lies, causing it to end after three seasons. Her marriage to her new husband, Henry Francis, seems more mutually beneficial, but she still can’t seem to shake her feelings for Don. However, falling back into bed with her ex may’ve revealed Betty’s most mature moment, as she empathizes with Megan and sums up Don’s entire love life: “That poor girl. She doesn’t know that loving you is the worst way to get to you.”

Originally the big boss of the office secretarial pool, Joan is the one almost everyone goes to whenever there’s a problem. She’s a complex character who acts as a mid-point between other women on the show, like Betty and Peggy, as she aspires to marry rich and quit work but enjoys and thrives in her job. Joan consistently evolves throughout the series, however, eventually becoming a partner at Sterling Cooper Draper Price while also raising a child, proving it’s possible to be both a mother and a successful businesswoman. Independent, gorgeous and sassy, Joan’s the woman all girls want to be and all guys want to be with. We believe Paul Kinsey said it best: “Well, Marilyn’s really a Joan, not the other way around.”

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Suzanne Farrell
- Candace
- Margaret Sterling Hargrove
- Anna Draper
- Bobbie Barrett
- Midge Daniels

One of the central characters of the entire series, it’s arguable that nobody has grown as much as Peggy Olson. Initially an awkward secretary, Peggy eventually works her way up to copywriter, a feat almost unheard of for a female employee at the time, before essentially becoming Don’s second-in-command in the creative department. Peggy maintains a complicated relationship with Don, and eventually quits SCDP, although she is one of the few women in the series whom Don actually respects. Peggy’s determination and hard work proved thatwomen were just as capable as men, an overriding theme of not just the show but of the entire decade.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite woman on Mad Men? For more exciting Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.