Hooray! The crown is open! We were thrilled to learn that on July 4, 2009, visitors were once again allowed inside the Statue of Liberty’s Crown. We wondered how this true Woman (excuse, us) Lady Around Town felt about the announcement. So we traveled out to the harbor to ask her.

Lady Liberty, when did you find out that your crown is being reopened to the public?

Well, I don’t do e-mail, you know. And I don’t have a zip code, so snail mail doesn’t get to me either. The first hint I had was when that Air Force One plane flew so close to me on April 27, 2009. I think the pilot was checking me out. I need my personal space, so planes and helicopters are not allowed to get close to me like that. So I thought perhaps something was up.

How do you feel about this change?

C’est magnifique! (Excusez-moi. Every now and then my French side comes out). I have such a magnificent view of the New York skyline that people should also be able to enjoy it. All that talk about it being unsafe was not true. I mean, did anyone think that my head was going to fall off? Never!

Since you mentioned the French, we went through a time when Americans weren’t so pleased with the French. Now we seem to be having a love fest. What do you think about this turn of events?

Of course, I love the French. They made me what I am today. Without their generosity, I would never have this job. And with the unemployment rate being what it is….yes, I am grateful to them.

People are still not allowed to climb up to your torch. Do you think they should be?

Heavens no! I mean, it’s hard enough for me to hold up that torch 24/7 without a break. The added weight would make it tough. I mean, people talk about Michelle Obama’s arms having such definition. Get real! I’d like to see her hold up a weight nonstop for 125 years. She’s a novice.

Your face has been seen in so many movies over the years. Any favorites?

Probably Working Girl with Melanie Griffith. When her character, Tess, rode the ferry all night because she lost her job, I felt for her. I’m a working girl, too, so I really relate.

What I hate are all those movies that use me as a symbol that America has been destroyed. I think Planet of the Apes was the first to do that and the idea caught on. I know it’s a backhanded compliment, that I’m such an icon, when I go, so does the nation. But I know if I had a good lawyer, they wouldn’t be able to humiliate me and tarnish my image that way.

You’ve been watching immigrants come into the U.S. for a long time. How do those coming today differ from those early settlers?

Well, there are fewer people coming by boat, waving to me and getting all choked up. I hope they see me from the air and have the same feelings. But, I think, the reasons they come have not changed. America is still the land of opportunity. And I think President Barack Obama reinforces those feelings. People will continue to come because people will continue to dream about what’s possible. And, I don’t mean to boast, but I remain a symbol of those dreams. In fact, it says so right on my pedestal.

Lady Liberty, we ask some of the women we interview to answer our six questions. Are you game?

Sure. Go ahead.

Woman Around Town’s Six Questions

Favorite Place to Eat: I’ve managed to maintain the same weight (450,000 pounds), so I don’t eat. I must admit, however, that I often feel hollow, especially when there are no tourists inside me.

Favorite Place to Shop: I’ve been stuck in this harbor my whole life, so I don’t get to shop. But I would encourage others to visit my gift shop. If you don’t get out to see me, you can shop online. Hope it’s OK for me to plug my store. I don’t get a commission, but it does help me keep up appearances.

Favorite New York Sight: The fireworks on the Fourth of July. It’s still the best show in town and I have a front row seat.

Favorite New York Moment: In 1982, a woman went into labor when she was climbing my stairs and she gave birth to a baby girl. That was really something! I mean talk about the birth of a nation. I’ve never really experienced childbirth, so that was a wonderful thing for me.

What You Love About New York: All those tourists! I hope they never stop coming to see me. (For information, go to my website).

What You Hate About New York: 9/11. The worst day in my life.