In celebration of Her Campus Point Park’s “Feminism Week”, we have compiled a list of 7 of the most bada** feminists in literature, TV, and movies.
Hermione Granger – Harry Potter
While she may seem like an “insufferable know-it-all” in the beginning, Hermione Granger quickly proves that being an extremely intelligent woman is nothing to be ashamed of. Always clear thinking and rational, she uses her brains to not only succeed in her studies, but to save her friends as well. Her combination of intelligence, bravery, and compassion for those around her make Hermione Granger one of the most badass feminists novel characters ever.
Hua Mulan – Mulan
Sure, Elsa may have saved her sister, but Mulan saved an entire country. When her father is called to serve in the Chinese Army, Mulan jumps into action. She disguises herself as a man, goes to war, and saves China from the Huns. She then comes back to lead a normal life, as well as fall in love.
Liz Lemon – 30 Rock
A good example of how hard it is for a modern woman to balance work and life, Liz Lemon through it all still manages to do so. Her dedication to her job makes her stand out. An unabashed and unashamed liberal feminist, she is not afraid to speak her mind. “Women are allowed to get angrier than men about double standards.” When it comes to women and their place in the world, Liz tells it like it is, which is why she’s earned a spot on our list.
Katniss Everdeen – The Hunger Games
Not unlike Mulan, Katniss goes into battle in place of a loved one. What makes Katniss one of our ]a feminist is not only her willingness to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, or her incredible bow wielding, fighting bada**ery, but how she unites with other women in the face of adversity. The way she attaches to Rue in the games, and let’s Clove live shows a lot about her character and appreciation for empowering her own gender.
Elle Woods – Legally Blonde
Elle Woods is proof that you don’t have to give up your femininity to be a feminist. A southern California sorority girly-girl, Elle Woods not only applies and gets into Harvard Law School, but becomes one of the best in the class. She never loses sight of her love of pink and her inner girly nature as she takes the law world by storm.
Elizabeth Bennet – Pride and Prejudice
Undoubtedly one of Jane Austen’s most admired heroines, Elizabeth Bennet, of the critically acclaimed novel Pride and Prejudice, was quite unlike other women of her time. She was outspoken, quick to judge, and most importantly, refused to marry for any reasons other than love, which was uncommon for a woman in those days. She held her own and stuck to her beliefs, which makes her one of the oldest feminists in our book.
Lisbeth Salander – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Lisabeth Salander is a lot of things. She’s gender ambiguous, autistic, a survivor of rape and abuse. She’s covered in piercings and tattoos. By most of society’s standards, she’s an outcast. However this girl is a genius. She’s an expert computer hacker, and a vigilante of sorts, getting revenge on those who have done her wrong. She’s not a traditional character, but she sure does prove her worth despite all of the unfortunate circumstances life has thrown her way.
So there you have it, Collegiettes! Is there any awesome feminist lady you feel should have been on the list? Let us know, @HCPointPark!