I first heard this word (pronounced with a long e sound, just like in hero) yesterday, on Oprah. The earliest definition at Urban Dictionary is dated March 25, 2003.
The definitions of shero vary, from a hero for women’s rights, male or female to, simply, female hero.
I haven’t found where it was first used, but that aside, I’m struggling (somewhat) with why a new word was needed. After all, heroine‘s first definition is “a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.”
My guess: Someone thought the existing form was diminuitive. It also could be connected to other new forms associated with the women’s rights movement, changes made to remove man/he from the gender-specific feminine words.
Oprah used the word as a substitute for hero, while referencing a woman. She used it repeatedly, and several of her guests parroted the language. Her usage was not tied to women’s rights.
