Why is a girls choice dance called Sadie Hawkins dance?

Sadie Hawkins dances are named after the character Sadie Hawkins, who appeared in a story by Al Capp called "Li'l Abner." In the story, Sadie was an unattractive woman who was desperate to get married. Her father, Zeke, organized a race for all of the eligible bachelors in the town. The first bachelor to reach Sadie could marry her. The dance that was held before the race was called a Sadie Hawkins dance, and the tradition of holding these dances has continued to this day.