RJ did it too; Sanderson was just more obvious about it, I thought. She doesn't have any particular role to play; she's just a shoutout to the fans, especially those who have strangely decided to idolize her.

Also, she's probably as good a symbol as any to the characters' past; a connection to the Emond's Fielders' old life, back in the Two Rivers, before all this. Sturdy as a rock, unchanging, a pillar of strength. Just like what everyone says about Two Rivers folk. Something vague and poetic like that.