A new semester calls for book buying, schedule memorizing and school shopping. In the midst of such a hectic beginning, sometimes all a girl needs is to come home and unwind with dinner and some Netflix. This year, instead of watching the same old stuff, why not start a new series that makes you feel proud to be a woman? Check out this list of shows that will either have you laughing, crying or yelling “F*** YEAH” at your television.
1. Girls
If you do anything this year, please, please, please start watching Girls. This show follows four different women in their twenties living in NYC — Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna. There’s comedy, there’s drama, and there’s lots of sex. But what makes this show so empowering is that Lena Dunham, who plays Hannah, created and co-writes the series using inspiration from her own experiences.
The main character Hannah, is an overweight, struggling college grad who goes from job to job as she writes down her life stories. However, Hannah is comfortable in her own skin, believes in herself, and perseveres with her dream of publishing a book. Instead of worrying about living up to other people’s expectations she only cares about achieving the goals she has set for herself.
2. Revenge
More of a thriller, this series will have you on the edge of your seat and will always leave you wanting more. The main character, Amanda Clark, is on a mission to avenge her father’s death no matter the price. Throughout Revenge, Amanda poses as someone she’s not to get closer to the family who framed her father for a crime he didn’t commit. Taking place in the Hamptons, the show follows people of wealth and power, but also reveals the twisted secrets of high-society.
Amanda is not only a strong and determined woman, she is someone who is passionate about her family and won’t let anyone get in her way. If she doesn’t make you feel kickass then I don’t know what will!
3. Once Upon a Time
If you like fairy tales, hot guys and princesses that don’t need a man in order to kick some butt, then you should definitely start watching Once Upon a Time. In the show, Snow White isn’t who you remember. She doesn’t sing to birds, resort to cleaning up after a group of dwarves, or wear a blue, yellow and red dress. “Snow” as they call her in the show, is a fighter. She fights for her daughter, for her husband and for her kingdom, never giving up hope.
The other female lead, Emma Swan, will also make you feel empowered to be a woman. You will see Emma’s life transform as she is introduced to motherhood, magic and fairy tales, but you won’t see her back down from a challenge.
4. Orange is the New Black
Set in an all women’s prison, Orange is the New Black is less about powerful women, and more about accepting how complicated women can be. The series’ main character, Piper Chapman, is sentenced to federal prison for helping her girlfriend smuggle drug money.
With the cast being primarily female, Orange is the New Black, illustrates how women are more than one-dimensional characters. The series allows us to understand that it’s normal to be a little crazy, it’s fine to experiment with your sexuality, and it’s okay to feel like a complete lunatic sometimes. As women, we should not have to feel as if we have to fit into a specific mold created by society. Throughout the show, you see how not only how Piper evolves, but also the other women within the series.
5. Parks and Recreation
To me, Amy Poehler is already an inspiration. Adding in her role as the wonderfully, awkward Leslie Knope in Parks and Rec., she definitely makes the list of best female leads. Parks and Recreation revolves around a woman who is trying to make a difference through her local government. Working for the Parks and Recreation Department, Leslie Knope’s big dream is to become the first female President.
Not only is the series hilarious and laid-back, it acknowledges actual issues such as stereotyping and gender roles. Although a little offbeat and unconventional, Leslie believes in herself and encourages other women to do the same. (Bonus: The episodes are short, so you can watch it in between classes when you need a good laugh.)
Did we miss any of your favorite female-centric obsessions? Let us know in the comments!