Erin is very close to her sister Mary Ellen, though they’re prone to a healthy, sisterly squabble from time to time. Erin is the pretty one, who fends off – and is protected from – one would-be-suitor after another! Erin’s challenges revolve around her beauty rather than her brain or brawn … she’s known as the “pin-up” rather than the scholar.

INSP viewers chose their favorite Walton – here’s what some said about Erin…

 

From ~ Wendy, California

She is a beautiful young girl who is close to my age, and has a sweetness about her that I like.

From ~ Amanda, Kentucky

She’s sweet, thoughtful, and pretty, and I like the way she interacts with everyone else.  She always takes responsibility for her mistakes and cares about how her actions impact others.

From ~ Chelsey, Ohio

My favorite Walton is Erin because she struggles to find her place in the world but keeps strong while doing so.

From ~ Lynn, Georgia

She reminds me a lot of myself. She does not really see the kind of person she is inside. She is really a beautiful person. She is shy at times; I am shy at times also. She is stronger than she believes herself to be and that is a reflection of me also. She has a deep love for her family and I do also.

From ~ Debbie, Texas

Erin sometimes feels like she doesn’t know what she want out of life.  I remember feeling that way as a young woman.

From ~ Donna, Pennsylvania

I find her a caring, modest young lady and well-behaved. I liked her back when I was younger so much that I named my daughter Erin. The funny part about it is my daughter’s name is Erin Elizabeth … Elizabeth after her grandmother.

From ~ Kimberly, California

I chose Erin because she is the ideal middle child. She can never be the first one to do anything! She wants to be grown up so bad but wants to be a child at the same time until she learns that she is a beautiful young lady and she then blossoms. I relate because I was the middle child and I never did get to do anything first, until I became an adult then it was too late for me.

From ~ Roxanne, Pennsylvania

My parents had 7 children. I was in the middle of the three younger girls. My little sister got spoiled and my older sister was popular. I felt like I was always competing to be noticed. Although Erin became a school teacher I became a home health aide. I also was divorced. It was like I could really relate to Erin. I also want to thank Erin for giving middle children hope. What a great show. I still watch today.

From ~ Irene, Virginia

My favorite character is Erin. I always identified most with her…always living in her big sister’s shadow, and continually struggling to find her own way.  Her loves, her heart aches, and even her propensity to tattle on the others remind me of my own childhood!

From ~ Donna, Massachusetts

She didn’t have talent like the boys did and didn’t have ambition like Mary Ellen. But she was an important part of the show because she was ordinary and easy for other ordinary people like me to relate to. The show focused on Erin’s “plain” ways but they always pointed out how her personality was no less important than anyone else.

From ~ Mark, Columbus

Erin always strived to do the right thing, and never took the easiest path.  She always retained her composure and grace.

From ~ Laura, California

I like Erin because she always seems to be so positive, hopeful and full of life.  Even when she was worried about what job/career/path she would take in her future, she still took time to help Jon-Boy out and in doing so, found her calling.  She just always seems to have such a friendly, positive and happy nature about her – I think we could all stand to be a little bit more like Erin.

From ~ Patricia, New Jersey

Erin is the essence of innocence, which is what young girls were back then and it wouldn’t hurt for them to be a little that way today.  She was feminine, polite, obedient, intelligent, ambitious, family-oriented, and yet she had dreams of her own.  She was caught in a time where she wanted to pursue uncharted territory for her career but she also would have been happy being another Olivia. There are many facets to Erin. You just have to look for them.

From ~ Carol, Wisconsin

Erin is the middle daughter and I also am a middle daughter.   I saw a lot of myself growing up as I watched Erin. Even though I (and Erin as well) was not neglected, I saw my older and younger sisters doing things at a certain age that I was not allowed.  I always hurt for Erin when she was in a similar predicament.

From ~ Kathleen, Delaware

She is a good example that a woman doesn’t have to be married and become a house wife, she is a strong single and independent woman and a positive role model for other single young women.

From ~ Ray, Ohio

The way she acts … she is pretty … and if I had a daughter she would be the kind of daughter I would like to have. I only have a son and always wanted a daughter. She is special.

From ~ Cindy, Illinois

Erin was the middle sister and she didn’t get very much attention because of that. Elizabeth & Mary Ellen got more attention. I feel that Erin was left out. So I sympathized with her for that.

From ~ Donna, Florida

I, too, am a middle child and I can truly relate to trying to get noticed and be recognized as being first at something!

From ~ Emily, District of Columbia

Erin often gets caught up in her looks and worldly pursuits, but she learns from her mistakes.  She’s a lady deep down that gets sidetracked sometimes.  I relate to her imperfections that she learns from.  Life is a great learning experience.

From ~ Gail, South Carolina

Erin was my favorite character. She was a young woman with much fortitude, common sense, articulate and wise for her age.  She wasn’t rebellious like Mary Ellen but would stand firm based on her Christian upbringing like when she took on her boss at the mill because of the way he treated her as a woman employee.  She challenged him but with dignity and respect and eventually won him over to get that promotion.  I have loved watching The Waltons since the 1970′s as the ideal for the Biblical way that we should live with each other today…loving, respecting and caring for our families and neighbors…treating everyone with respect and dignity…regardless of social status, race, etc.

From ~ Susan, Illinois

I was the middle girl/child in my family of 6 kids and could relate to Erin’s same position in her family.  The writers knew what that felt like.

From ~ Tara, Colorado

I like Erin Walton because she does not have a stigma attached to her.  She is not the oldest, the youngest, or the most talented.  She is average.  She works in a job that isn’t necessarily her passion, but it’s a job that she can do well.  She’s not the best at anything except being herself.  Her intentions are good and her self-esteem is high.  She knows that she is loved by her family just as she is and doesn’t have to have a stigma to make her unique.  There need to be more “Erins” in this world.

From ~ Patricia, New Mexico

Erin is so gentle and so lovely…when she lost her beau, GW Haines, it reminded me of when I lost my then boyfriend in a farming accident…she is the delicate flower of the Walton daughters….

From ~ Erin, Florida

I was named after Erin, and have grown up watching The Waltons.  I almost feel like I have grown up with her – in all of the joys and trials of being a young girl, and being the middle child. She has always been the more-quiet and helpful sister, and I have that reputation in my own family.  We both have red hair as well!

From ~ Lisa, Missouri

I am the middle girl as well.  My family has 4 boys and 3 girls also.  So it always seemed like it was about our family.  When I watch The Waltons now it brings back a lot of great memories.  I wish there were more TV shows now like there were back then.  So many shows today have too much violence in them.  You can’t let your children watch them.  Thanks for such a great show.  It will last a life time.

From ~ Sara, Indiana

I love how she wears her heart on her sleeve and how she becomes an independent woman.

From ~ Erin, Florida

The year I was born, The Waltons was very popular, especially with my parents.  They named me after Erin (Dad was going to name me Jo).  Erin is helpful, true to herself, and a good girl.  She felt lost at one point when it came to choosing a career.  I understand just how she felt.  I too found my career calling.  She is an inspiration.

John Boy | John Walton | Olivia Walton | Zeb (Grandpa Walton) | Esther (Grandma Walton) | Jason Walton | Mary Ellen Walton | Ben Walton | Erin Walton | Jim Bob Walton | Elizabeth Walton