What was special about Ms. Maudie?

Scout often sits with their neighbor, the avid gardener Miss Maudie Atkinson, watches the sun set on her front steps, or partakes of Miss Maudie's fine homemade cake. Miss Maudie is honest in her speech and her ways, with a witty tongue, and Scout considers her a trusted friend. Much like Scout's father, Ms. Maudie is progressive in her perspective on life, education, and race issues. She is resilient and speaks her mind. She is not typical of the other white women in Maycomb. She feels not bigotry towards blacks and is not shy about challenging other women, like the ladies of the missionary circle, when they express their hatred and bias.