It’s 2008— a time when things were simpler and your biggest concerns were about what Cheetah Girl you were in your friend group and whether your favorite TV shows’ crossover episode was starting at 7:00 pm Eastern Time or Pacific. Whether we like it or not, many of us who grew up in the early 2000s were constantly immersed in the world of pop culture and entertainment via an elaborate showcase fit into our TV screen. That little black box that captivated us so much growing up had a lasting impact on what we value as important today. As young millennials amid our sometimes slippery transition into adulthood, nostalgia can feel like a consoling blanket of warmth in this cold world. But while we romanticize the past and cherish those characters that taught us valuable life lessons and gave terrible fashion advice (see: any protagonist’s outfit on Disney Channel), let’s take a look back on some of the most powerful femme figures on TV during what I believe to be a truly historic moment for children’s television.
- Carly Shay ~ iCarly
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Carly Shay created an online empire with just some questionably high-tech camera equipment, a witty co-host, and a penthouse apartment in Seattle for which no post-modern sculptor in the 21st-century could pay rent. Despite this, the show first aired at a time when Youtube and other social media platforms were redefining themselves as a space for individualized and unique content creators; Carly knew her audience and designed a regularly-broadcasted web show that people like her and her friends could enjoy. At the same time, she was juggling the highs and lows of boys, friend drama, high school, and living with her outlandish and often irresponsible brother. Through all those seasons, Carly kept giving us outstanding online content, killer outfits, and great comedic timing.
- Alex, Sam, and Clover ~ Totally Spies
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These girls were iconic characters of the early 2000s. They were powerful not only because of their incredible skills as secret agents who battled crime with the ~coolest~ gadgets ever invented but they did so without compromising their feminine aesthetic. The Butterfly Baret Bomb? The Heat-Sensor 6000 Infrared Motion Detector Sunglasses? I had no business fighting crime as an eight-year-old, but there was nothing I wanted more than one of those gadgets. I always appreciated seeing the girls in different outfits when they weren’t on spy duty; you could tell they all cared about their unique fashion sense. Those bubbly and cute personalities combined with their amazing espionage skills inspired us to grow up with the same level of versatility and grit.
- Carey Martin ~ The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
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Carey Martin is easily one of the most underrated characters on this show and for no good reason whatsoever. This feminine icon was a single mother of TWIN BOYS, and not just any twin boys– anyone who’s seen an episode of this incredible show knows exactly how destructive Zack and Cody are. But Carey somehow manages to keep it together while being the feminine, motherly figure that London and Maddie both lacked in their pivotal teenage years. We honestly have to stan Carey and her hilarious one-liners.
- Starfire ~ Teen Titans
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Okay… it was difficult to choose which leading lady from Teen Titans to include in this list. Although both Raven and Starfire are well-developed, dynamic feminine characters in this show, I decided to go with Starfire simply because I can just feel it in my bones that she’s a fellow Cancer. She has it all; a crazy origin story involving an evil sister and a wacky home planet she had to leave? Check. Intelligent and has a mastery of her powers? Check. Kind to literally everyone and acts as a mediator for the group when things get tense? Check. Looks great in purple? Check. She is the wholesome but powerful hero we all looked up to growing up.
- Raven Baxter ~ That’s So Raven
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Like the other brilliant role models on this list, Raven went through a LOT over several seasons of this show all while sailing through the turbulent seas of high school. Her fashion sense alone is enough to land her a spot on this list. Raven was confident, spunky, hilarious, and compassionate towards her friends and families. She constantly made mistakes, but knew how to own up to them and work towards fixing the problem.
- Marceline the Vampire Queen ~ Adventure Time
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Adventure Time is certainly one of the more niche shows on this list, but I can’t in good faith write about these empowering women without including THE Vampire Queen of the Nightosphere. Marceline lived completely unapologetically and wasn’t afraid to be herself. Her deep backstory and dynamic arc throughout the show made her such an interesting and equally inspiring character. She also was the backbone of the soundtrack for that show, and her killer vocals still dominate my Spotify library.
- Quinn Pensky ~ Zoey 101
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Quinn is a character from this show who is all too overlooked. Honestly? I’m no STEM major myself, nor are there any statistics to prove this, but I thoroughly believe she was the inspiration for many girls to go into the STEM field in recent years. Quinn was always there for her friends, whether that be with some crazy invention to help Zoey in her latest high school plight or with just some good, old-fashioned love and support. She taught us that you should never be afraid to explore your nerdy side or feel like you have to dumb yourself down for peer acceptance.
- Usagi Tsukino ~ Sailor Moon
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Usagi (or as many knew her when we were young as just “Sailor Moon”) was an awesome character to grow up with. As Naoko Takeuchi, the original manga writer, discussed in an interview; she had written the series at a time in her life when she felt very alone and decided to write about a group of girls she wishes were her friends. The entire show had this amazing feminine energy, and Usagi was able to be just as powerful as she was relatable.
- True Jackson ~ True Jackson, VP
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True Jackson, VP was filmed in front of a live studio office. But more importantly, Keke Palmer’s performance as True made that show the legend and gem that it is today. She was a high school teenager who took the fashion world by storm and became the VP of a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Talk about a female icon! True taught us from a young age that it is possible to succeed in the professional world without sacrificing your values and personality. She remained confident, composed, and truly iconic throughout the whole show. A corporate goddess.
- Azula ~ Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Azula is easily my favorite television character of all time. Yes, I understand that she is evil and her intentions for everything she did throughout the series were completely violent and had negative consequences. However, there is no arguing the fact that she was one of the most powerful firebenders in the world at the time and never backed down from any challenge she faced. Azula was intelligent, fearless, and empowering. She may not have defeated the other elements but she certainly defeated the outdated expectations for women to be submissive to the man’s world by becoming the Firelord. Azula is a captivating character that will continue to inspire me for years to come.
These women taught us how to not care what others think, how to be kind to everyone around us, how to know our own self-worth and how to let our personalities shine. I am forever grateful for the lessons I learned from these shows. And the killer outfit-inspo I got, as well.