Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan
Skeeter is a graduate of Ole Miss. In the process of gathering information on "The Help", Skeeter fears the disappointment of her mother and former friend Hilly. Yet, she completes a manuscript called "Help" with primary assistance from her good friend's maid named Aibileen. This leads her open to see all of the treatment of the black domestic, primarily the female maids.
Constantine Bates
Constantine is Skeeter's childhood maid. The mystery behind Constantine's departure from the Phelan household fuels Skeeter's desire to solve the mystery why she left, and how Aibileen and the other maids feel about being employed by the residents of Jackson, Mississippi.
Minny Jackson
Minnie's mouth has gotten her into trouble one too many times. She is Aibileen's friend, and a character who is unable to keep employment because of her bossy demeanor and sharp tongue.
Aibileen Clark
Aibileen is a maid and nanny in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a middle aged African American employed by Elizabeth Leefolt, Skeeter's good friend.
Mae Mobley Leefolt
Mae Mobley is a toddler watched daily by Aibileen and also one of Elizabeth Leefolt's two children. Mae's mother is unable and willing to devote time and attention to her. The child turns to Aibileen, who treats her with tenderness and love.
Celia Foote
Celia is the newest resident of Jackson, Mississippi, hires Minny because she cannot cook and initially tried to hide Minny's involvement with the house cleaning and cooking from her husband, Johnny Foote. She forms an unlikely bond with Minny. Celia dresses provocatively, but is really a sweet person. She's also unaware of the history between her husband and Hilly.
Johnny Foote
Johnny is Celia's Loyal husband, who owns a real estate office in Jackson, Mississippi. Minny's employer and hilly's ex.
Hilly Holbrook
Hilly is a Childhood friend of Skeeter. She is also the president of the Junior League in Jackson, Mississippi. Hilly tries to push through a sanitation that all white homeowners have a separate bathroom from their black domestics. Hilly is one who enjoys controlling and causing fear of others who dare step to her.
Elizabeth Leefolt
Elizabeth is the employer of Aibileen and best friend of Hilly and Skeeter. Elizabeth is easily lead by Hilly. She is also unable to be an affectionate mother to her daughter Mae Mobley. So Aibileen becomes the child's primary care taker, teacher and surrogate mother. Has a son, Ross, later in the novel. Aibileen calls him Lil' man.
Charlotte Phelan
Charlotte is Skeeter's demanding mother, she has been diagnosed with cancer, but tells Skeeter she has "refused to die". Skeeter refuses to live up to her mother's dreams for her, their relationship is not the best. Charlotte is concerned with Skeeter being a proper lady, while Skeeter longs to a writer.
Elaine Stein
Elaine is Harper & Row Publishing house editor. Elaine Stein corresponds with Skeeter advising her to write about what disturbs her, particularly if it bothers no one else.
Yule May Crookle
Yule is Hilly's maid. She steals a ring from Hilly in an attempt to send one of her college aged twin sons to a private college. This results in a woman stealing from Hilly, of all people, a woman who previously turned down Yule May's request for a loan.