With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it is important to emphasize how strong women can be standing on their own two feet! With the rise of successful women dominating the workforce, politics, and soon the entire world, we must also credit their undeniable presence on our television screens. As collegiettes, we are about to discover true independence, and what better way to prepare for the realities of the real world than by seeing examples of successful and empowering women every time we watch our favorite shows! The television industry has recognized the huge impact that strong female roles have had on their young viewers and are giving us a number of awe-inspiring role models to respect and admire. Here, I list the best 5 TV shows that truly empower and embody what it is to be a successful and confident woman in modern times.
1. Ugly Betty
In a world where weight, size, and image are the focus of most young women’s minds, Ugly Betty provides a refreshing perspective on how to be confident in your body and your goals. Betty Suarez starts out as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine. Although she is smart, charismatic, and eager to learn, she constantly faces criticism for her wardrobe choices and weight and is continually overlooked as a serious employee. Despite numerous hilarious setbacks, Betty always stays true to herself, successfully moving up the ranks in the magazine industry and never straying from her morals. Betty serves as the prime role model for all collegiettes that have ever felt misjudged because of their style or body image, and I encourage all of you to laugh at Betty’s mishaps and find confidence in her achievements!
2. Scandal
Collegiettes interested in a career in politics or crisis management (or for those who just love a good scandal) will admire the boldness and sophistication of Olivia Pope! Scandal follows the life of Olivia and her colleagues, with every season allowing us an inside view into their individual backgrounds. Owner of her own crisis management business, (and spoiler alert: secretly having an affair with the President of the United States!) Olivia embodies what it means to balance a high-powered career, complicated relationships and, in the spirit of television drama, the occasional breakdown. While this may seem applicable only to successful career women in their respective fields, it really speaks to all of us who have a hard time keeping balance in our lives, whether it is work and college or relationships and friends. I know I am thankful that I have Olivia Pope to admire as she dominates every task she takes on and looks great doing it!
3. The Mindy Project
Not only does The Mindy Project feature the amazing Mindy Kaling as its main star, but she also created the show and helps produce it! If that doesn’t show women empowerment in the media workforce then I don’t know what does! Mindy plays an obstetrician trying to figure out her life and organize all of her ambitions, while constantly finding herself entangled in a number of dating dilemmas. As inspiring a woman as Mindy is, the show speaks for itself. It targets all modern women who are weighing the costs of relationships vs. careers, a question that is becoming more and more relevant! The show also tells us that it is okay to have doubts about what we want in life, but encourages us to make the most out of every situation.
4. Homeland
Along with a gripping storyline and the success of the first three seasons, Homeland has introduced us to CIA Officer Carrie Mathison, a strong-willed and incredibly strategic woman who suffers from bipolar disorder. While continually being underestimated and misunderstood because of her illness, Carrie makes a habit out of proving people wrong and following her own rules. Homeland emphasizes that women suffering from mental illnesses have the same capacities to succeed as any other woman, and provides an outlet for those who feel like their voices aren’t being heard at their job! Homeland tells us that it is possible to have moments of vulnerability while still controlling our life and career.
5. Mad Men
As iconic as the men in Mad Men are, it is the women in the show that lend themselves to female empowerment. Focusing on the lives of colleagues working at an advertising agency and their families in the 1960’s, the show finds a way to make each women character stand out in a male-dominated environment! Betty Draper, married to the creative director, finds a way to become involved in politics and seeks a divorce from her unhappy marriage: an action that was highly uncommon during the time period! Joan Holloway is the flirty secretary who takes pride in her secretarial job, while using her many connections to her advantage. Peggy Olson is another fierce female, who refuses to resign to a life as an assistant and moves her way up to copywriter. (She is described as being the first female copywriter in the agency since World War II!) We definitely have something to learn from these three role models! These women all take pride in their role and jobs, never letting themselves appear weak or incapable in a world mostly run by men. This is something that we should take into consideration as we enter the real world and are faced with similar problems.