As a lover of romcoms and Disney movies (but not much else), I cannot classify myself as a film buff in any sort of way. That being said, I rewatch my favorite movies over and over and I have come to discover my favorite female leads that define feminism.
Elle woods
Obviously, this is the big one. The iconic story of the perfect, stylish, sorority girl putting in the work and making it into Harvard Law School. Even though at first she does this for a man, she quickly becomes interested in the work. She assists in a high-profile case and then she eventually gets promoted. Elle was also surrounded by support from other females like her mom, her friends, and her stylist, Paulette. Elle finds herself at Harvard and she proves to everyone that she is not just about the glamour but she also has the brains. “You must always have faith in people. And, most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.”
Kat stratford
The independent, man-hater is how Kat Stratford is seen at school. Both those things may be true but they don’t encapsulate the intelligent and emotional side of her. She is very quick-witted, which makes people think she’s stuck up; however, she is just very well-read. Underneath her hatred of social norms, she does want to be loved, but she doesn’t want to change herself for it. Kat is also based on the Shakespeare character Katherina Minola, a fiery girl in a world controlled by men. These characters both show that it is okay to be strong and to be vulnerable.“I don’t like to do what people expect. Why should I live up to other people’s expectations? “
Jo march
Similarly to Kat, Jo doesn’t want to be seen as a “typical” girl. She wants to be the provider and care for her family; however, that is the man’s role. She grew up quickly, going from writing silly plays and messing with her sisters to writing to try and make a living and selling her hair to help her ill sister. Jo was the opposite of man-centered, she denied her childhood friend’s proposal and she begged her sister to run away from her wedding with her. However, her desire to be loved is undeniable, (like most of these women) she wants to be loved for her smarts and her heart. She ends up creating a schoolhouse for children where her, her husband, and her sisters all work. She is an amazing example of someone who wants to make the world better for those around her. “I’d rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe.”
Tiana
Tiana is a waitress with a dream she is determined to achieve. She believes that working hard is the only way to get anything in life. She is overworked and tired, but is dedicated to getting her restaurant. Throughout the film, we see how coordinated, brave, trustworthy, and adaptable Tiana is. She is all around doing her best, all of the time. She doesn’t get discouraged when something goes wrong, she tries to find a solution. Her goal was never to be a princess (but how could a prince NOT fall in love with her???) Even in the end when she reaches her goal, she is the backbone making sure it all goes well. She’s an inspiration for anyone who has to work for their dream. “Fairy tales can come true. But you gotta make them happen, it all depends on you.”
Princess Leia
Fearless, heroic, and an amazing leader; Princess Leia was more than just her title. Her devotion to fighting against the First Order and The Galactic Empire did not go unnoticed. Leia created The Resistance and courageously went into combat. She is a model of being both fierce and empathetic. As a trailblazer, many people looked up to and depended on her and she always was there with hope to spread. Princess Leia also had a lasting impact on pop culture, her character altered how people looked at females in male dominated movies. “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you can see it, you’ll never make it through the night.”
There are many, many more iconic females that people are inspired by; Barbie, the other March sisters, Katniss Everdeen, Hermione Granger. These five are just special in my heart and motivate me when I need it most. Who are your favorite trailblazing fictional females?