Although women’s history month has passed, it doesn’t mean I’ll stop advocating for more empowering media representation of women in film and TV. Here are seven strong female characters I think deserve some more love.
1. Elizabeth Bennet – “Pride & Prejudice”
Originally a classic novel written by Jane Austen, “Pride and Prejudice” follows protagonist Elizabeth Bennet, who lives with her family in the humble English countryside, and her tumultuous relationship with Mr. Darcy, a wealthy upper-class gentleman. The two must learn to overcome their pride and their prejudice in order to be together. The story explores themes of pride, prejudice, societal expectations, social and financial class and women’s independence.
Elizabeth Bennet is notable for how she challenges the societal norms and expected roles forced onto women during the early 19th century. Her character rejects financial reliance on men and embodies the idea of women’s independence and intelligence. She values integrity, honesty and personal virtue above all else, including social positioning and money. She has no issue expressing her own opinion, no matter how strong it may seem to those around her. She is also determined to make her own decisions based on her values and prioritizes personal happiness over people pleasing.
2. Kathrine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – “Hidden Figures”
Originally a novel written by Margot Lee Shetterly, “Hidden Figures” follows three insanely intelligent African American women who serve as the mathematicians behind the launch of astronaut John Glen into space during the Space Race. The film explores themes of race and gender inequality, empowerment, education, resilience and stereotypes.
The women of “Hidden Figures” experience endless instances of racism and sexism, but they don’t let that discourage them from rising above and breaking barriers for women of color in STEM. Their determination, resilience, strength and courage to overcome the societal barriers of the time are beyond admirable. The three women put an emphasis on education and how women’s intelligence is often underestimated by men.
3. Lady Bird – “Lady Bird”
Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird” is a coming-of-age film that follows highly independent high school senior Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson as she navigates a turbulent relationship with her mother and a longing to leave her hometown of Sacramento, California. The film explores themes of identity, mother-daughter relationships, gender expectations, friendship and socioeconomic status. The film itself is an insightful portrayal of women’s experiences, complexities and feminism.
Although she is flawed, she is still presented as strong, intelligent, capable, vulnerable, determined, resilient and independent. Unlike films that portray women from the familiar patriarchal male view, she has complexities like real women. She’s strong-willed and determined to pursue her own independence by working towards personal goals, like leaving Sacramento. She’s also unapologetically herself. She has attitude, individuality and a truckload of opinions she has no problem expressing.
4. Sally Owens – “Practical Magic”
Originally a novel written by Alice Hoffman, “Practical Magic” follows sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, descendants from a long line of witches, as they navigate using complex magic after Gillian’s boyfriend unexpectedly dies. Themes of sisterhood, love and relationships, healing, consequence, empowerment and individuality are explored throughout. The film utilizes witchcraft as a form of women’s empowerment and individuality.
Sally Owens is inspiring to women in how she embraces her differences, shows strength in vulnerability and finds empowerment through sisterhood. Despite being bullied and picked on her entire childhood for her family’s witchcraft, by the end of the movie, Sally learns to accept that her differences are what make her special. After overcoming personal loss due to a curse that befalls the line of women in her family, she learns how to heal. Finally, after rejecting witchcraft for most of her life, she learns that there is power within sisterhood.
5. Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty”
The television series “Ugly Betty” focuses on a young woman named Betty Suarez from Queens, N.Y., who has dreams of becoming a writer. When she’s hired as a personal assistant to Daniel Meade, the man who runs Mode Magazine, she experiences many challenges as she looks different than everyone else. The series explores society’s impossible beauty standards for women, identity and self-acceptance, cultural diversity, ambition and class.
Betty is a role model because of her resilience, intelligence and authenticity. Despite being treated unfairly because of her looks, she continues to work at proving herself and her capabilities through her ambition and intelligence. Over the course of the series, she learns to accept and embrace the things that make her unique.