Inspirational (fictional) Women

posted 15th January 2011    Written by: Renee    CATEGORY: Inspiration, Life Lesson, Renee, Season 3

Who inspires me? You might expect me to say Hillary Clinton or Elizabeth Gilbert or Mother Teresa. And, yes, those women are inspiring… but that’s not the kind of inspiration I want to focus on.

It’s winter break for me as I write this. That means I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with myself. You may ask, “What does Renee do with her quality time?” I’ll tell you: I watch a LOT of television.

Now, I don’t mean I plop down in front of the TV and numb myself with Jersey Shore marathons. You see, I’m working towards a degree in mass media and feminism… so I spend my time watching critically acclaimed shows on Netflix.  Last winter, I watched all of The West Wing.  Over the summer, I watched Weeds.  This fall, I’ve been addicted to Friday Night Lights. Over this break, I have discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Netflix tells me I enjoy quirky shows with strong female leads. No shit, Sherlock.  The truth is, I find the women in these shows incredibly inspirational. I could practically write a thesis on how Friday Night Lights is one of the most feminist shows I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.  Tami Taylor, the coach’s wife, is one of my favorite characters of all time.  And C.J. Cregg of The West Wing? I want to BE her. I mean, she was the President’s Chief of Staff! Perhaps Nancy Botwin of Weeds isn’t the picture-perfect Mom of the Year, but she gets shit done, doesn’t she? She doesn’t take no for an answer. ‘Atta girl. As for Buffy? Well, homegirl speaks for herself. She could whip Edward Cullen’s ass any day of the week. Blindfolded.

My point is, television doesn’t necessarily rot your brain. If you look, there are really inspirational women and incredible role models out there doing exactly what they set out to do. Maybe they’re fictional, maybe their roles are primarily written by men, and maybe they’re not getting book deals or speaking at college commencements, but there’s something to be said for a strong woman on television. They remind us that life is messy but simply by nature of being a woman, they have the strength and will to rise above it.

I look to Tami Taylor, Tyra Collette, C.J. Cregg, Abbey Bartlet, Nancy Botwin, Buffy and Willow to teach me how to be a strong, competent, kick-ass woman. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.

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Comments (14)

14 Responses to “Inspirational (fictional) Women”

  • Red Lips & Academics Says:
    January 15th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Renee,

    I didn't know you were working toward a degree in mass media and feminism. That's awesome! got my MA in English, but your degree would probably have better fit my interests. Also, I completely agree with you about Friday Night Lights. It's one of my favorite shows. If I ever become a wife and mother, I want to be like Tami Taylor.

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 7:26 am

    Yes! I adore this. I too adore a good story (both televised and written) with a strong female lead. I think I really need to check out Friday Night Lights.

  • Erin Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 8:05 am

    I love this post, because I always enjoy quirky shows with a strong female lead. I've been a Buffy fan for as long as I can remember. Is it campy? Sure. But it's also a really fantastic show with some awesome female characters…even if Buffy's never-ending closet full of leather pants is completely unbelievable.

  • Alisha Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 10:35 am

    I love CJ Craig. I never watched Friday Night Lights but I have heard from many people that it's a great show. You are right: television doesn't always rot the brain. It introduces us to so many different types of people. Though she is based on the book, I love Anne of Green Gables. I used to watch the show religiously and her spunk, openess, and intelligence have always inspired me.

  • kate_morgan Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    So true! Whenever I need to kick-ass, I channel a bit of Sydney Bristow. I'd never thought about it until reading your post, but I totally do consider her inspiration, even if she is located on 29 discs on my DVD shelf.

  • Renee Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    It's technically a degree in Communication Studies, but I'm concentrating in mass media and earning a certificate in women's studies… so yeah, mass media and feminism!

  • Renee Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    It disguises itself as a football show, but the coach's wife is truly the moral center. She's fantastic.

  • Renee Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I just started Buffy so I'm only on the first season. Campy? Absolutely, but that's one reason why I LOVE it.

  • Renee Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I've never watched/read/seen Anne of Green Gables… I know this is outrageous and I plan to remedy my downfall asap!

  • Renee Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Yes! Alias! Another awesome kick-ass female role model!

  • Michele Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I'm gonna have to watch some Buffy!!!!

  • pixie658 Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Wonderful! I watch a lot of TV, too, or did. And I've been inspired over the years by a number of wonderful female (but mostly, male) characters.
    I could go and on, but I'll just mention two. Claire Fisher, from Six Feet Under (my favorite television show in the history of the world), is one of my favorite female characters. I grew up and went through high school and college with her and she grew into such a remarkable woman (but was far from perfect). I know some people hate Sex and the City, but Miranda is probably a female character with whom I will always find inspiration. Her values aligned with mine in many ways and it was good for me to see a strong, career-driven female in a TV show who eventually found love and balance in her life (but also made sacrifices and missed out on things because her career was so important to her). It was good to see that when I was in high school/college because so many girls wanted to settle down and get married by 22 and I was not like them.
    Great post. :)

  • Alisha Says:
    January 16th, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    OMG. Travesty! You really must. One of my favorite characters ever. I think you would really like her :)

  • Debby Says:
    January 19th, 2011 at 7:59 am

    Loved this post. I also watch a lot of tv shows and am also a HUGE buffy fan.
    I will need to check out Friday Night Lights and the West Wing.

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