Lily Owens is the main character in the novel "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. She is a young girl living in South Carolina during the 1960s, struggling with the loss of her mother and the complexities of her relationship with her father, T. Ray Owens. Lily's journey is one of self-discovery and healing as she seeks to understand her past and find her place in the world. Throughout the story, Lily is guided by the wisdom of the Boatwright sisters, who teach her about love, forgiveness, and the importance of female empowerment. Her experiences with these strong women help her grow and ultimately lead her to confront her fears and embrace her identity.