20 Female Characters Who Helped Shape Us Into The Women We Are Today
On-screen representation is powerful when it comes to understanding ourselves and our potential. Television and movie characters, alongside pop culture icons and athletes, have the power to help inspire us.
Being able to grow up with depictions of women who were independent and brave while fighting for what they believe in has had a substantial impact on how I've seen myself and grown as a woman. Here are 20 of the on-screen women who helped shape us into strong, independent women.
All Three Powerpuff Girls From The Powerpuff Girls
This trio of crime-fighting kindergarten-age girls taught us how to stand up against evil and embrace how powerful "girly" things can be.
At the same time, the girls were able to be vulnerable with their personal problems growing up, such as losing teeth and wetting the bed, showing that you can be emotional and still be a great fighter.
Mulan From Mulan
From the beginning, Mulan finds herself struggling to fit within the societal norms for women.
When she ran away to join the army in order to save her father, she taught us the value of doing what you believe is right, working hard to care for our loved ones, and how breaking away from expectations can lead you to success.
Matilda From Matilda
Matilda as a movie emphasizes that it's okay to be different, and that reading a lot is cool.
Despite being criticized and treated poorly by the majority of the adults in her life, Matilda persists to help her friends and follow her passions and shows us that children aren't powerless against the whims of adults. Also, the whole telekinetic powers part was super cool too.
Crysta From FernGully: The Last Rainforest
When a logging company and an evil spirit that feeds on pollution threaten to destroy the forest where she lives, Crysta brings together her fairy friends and the human Zak to save the rainforest.
Her persistence to fight against environmental and ecological damage and her ability to empathize and care for a wide variety of creatures, even humans who hurt Ferngully, is truly inspirational.
Spinelli From Disney's Recess
Spinelli was an unapologetic tomboy on the playground who taught us that being an awesome young girl didn't mean needing to conform to gender norms.
The "muscle" of her friend group, she fiercely protected those who couldn't protect themselves from bullies during recess. She demanded respect from every single person on the schoolyard and taught us that we should do the same.
Merida From Brave
Merida's determination to break away from traditions that would pigeonhole her into the domestic sphere was inspiring to many young girls who did not see themselves as a mother or homemaker. She refuses to let others control her fate, and instead takes it into her own hands.
While she has a few hiccups along the way, she shows girls that they can pave their own paths in life on their own terms.
Kim Possible From Kim Possible
Kim Possible was a red-headed, crime-fighting hero that a lot of us young girls looked up to. Her fighting and gymnastic abilities were awe-worthy, but she really taught us that sometimes you have to sacrifice your own self-interests (like going to the homecoming dance) to do what you know is right.
On top of that, she managed to balance traditionally feminine activities, like cheerleading, with saving the world.
Hermoine Granger From The Harry Potter Franchise
She was initially branded as a know-it-all, but her intelligence and focus on studying as much as possible are two characteristics that make her so powerful. Instead of trying to hide how smart she is, she takes ownership of her brilliance, encouraging young girls watching to do the same.
In a world where many girls are told to not show off, she taught us to shine.
Rachel Berry From Glee
While her laser-focused desire to be a star can be sometimes overwhelming, her consistent self-affirmation that she is talented and capable is very admirable. She doesn't let cynics or critics stop her as she sings her way to the Broadway stage.
While she was frequently a comical character, a lot of us learned from her discipline to train and her determination to be the best.
Katniss Everdeen From The Hunger Games Trilogy
Katniss Everdeen is fiercely protective of her family, resourceful, and deeply kind in her soul.
Her determination to stand up for characters who need protection, her outdoors skill set as a hunter, and her role in overthrowing a corrupt government and social system made her an excellent role model for a generation of girls looking to create change within their own communities.
Cady Heron From Mean Girls
This one might seem a little atypical, but Cady Heron taught us a lot about self-awareness and what it means to check your own behaviors and be honest about who you've become.
In addition, Cady shows us that, despite it being hard, it's important to take accountability for your own actions and learn to be better to others.
Buffy From Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy killed vampire after vampire, and saved the world many times. Even though her fierce fighting skills were something to envy, Buffy's consistent loyalty to her friends was really what made us look up to her.
She went out of her way over and over to be there for the people she loved, and she did everything she could to keep them out of harm's way.
Bonnie, Elena, And Caroline From The Vampire Diaries
This supernatural trio was always there for each other, and always worked to protect and care for the people in their lives.
However, the best thing this group of best friends showed us was how it's important to fully feel your emotions and loss, what it means to grieve, and how we can always honor and care for our late loved ones.
Emily Fields From Pretty Little Liars
Emily Fields has one of the rockiest storylines at the beginning of the series, which involves her coming to terms with her sexuality.
After being outed as a lesbian, her parents send her to conversion therapy camp, but she shows us how to be resilient in the face of ignorance and hate, and stays true to herself.
Kimmy Schmidt From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Kimmy Schmidt is an inspiring character because of how she refuses to let the bad parts of her life define her or scare her from trying new things.
Despite having been kidnapped and kept in an underground bunker for 15 years, she has unwavering optimism and does her best to show kindness to everyone she meets. She makes viewers want to be more positive and good to others.
Elizabeth Bennet From Pride & Prejudice
Elizabeth Bennet has been inspiring women for over 200 years since Jane Austen first published the novel. Elizabeth isn't afraid to speak her mind and demand respect from people who are of a higher social class.
She has shown inspired generations of young women to be more outspoken and to be strong-willed in the face of adversity.
Samantha Jones From Sex And The City
Samantha Jones is the career woman I always wanted to grow up into. She is great at her job, she has fun, and she never lets social stigmas regarding dating and relationships stop her from doing what she wants.
She shows all of us that, as a woman, it's okay to put yourself and your goals ahead of dating, and you can look fabulous while doing it.
Sansa Stark From Game Of Thrones
Though she starts the show being naïve and a bit bratty, she really grows into a powerful woman. She's resilient throughout many horrible events that happen, and she shows us how to use those negative experiences to outsmart more powerful opponents.
She refuses to bend her will, and always bargains on behalf of the people of the North. A true queen.
Cristina Yang From Grey's Anatomy
Cristina Yang wanted to be outstanding, and so she did everything she could to be outstanding.
She taught all of us that it's not wrong to fight for what you want, and it's also okay to be firm about what you don't. She will focus on her career, and won't let a man derail her from her goals. She's also an inspiration as a woman of color breaking into her field.
Olivia Benson From Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Benson works to consistently advocate for survivors of violence, with most of her victims being women.
Rather than trying to repress her womanhood in the male-dominated field, she uses it to help her better support her victims and drive results. She inspires us to help uplift and support women in our own lives and crush it at work.
