Helen Emerson was daytime's "valiant lady", a fortyish matron who was widowed in the serial's first year. Helen valiantly endured sudden financial hardship while alternately fretting over her children's sordid love lives. Son Mickey fell for a divorcee, daughter Diane ran off with a married man, and bratty baby Kim constantly implored Helen to teach her the latest dance step. Helen finally found peace and happiness with Governor Lawrence Walker, whom she married in the show's final year.