Watching badass women on screen can inspire us to be more confident in our own lives. In a world dominated by male protagonists, we need to celebrate strong female characters that become fierce role models—people we hope to emulate or show that it’s okay for women to speak up and be central. Here are 18 television shows with powerful female leads:

1. Gossip Girl

These young women are intelligent, resourceful and educated.

2. Big Little Lies

From super moms to working moms, they’re all SO determined.

3. Castle

Kate Beckett is the smartest detective at the NYPD.

4. House of Cards

She straight-up makes or breaks her husband’s political career.

5. How to Get Away with Murder

Viola Davis is my queen.

6. Scandal

Olivia Pope takes care of it.

7. Revenge

Emily Thorne creates elaborate plans to seek revenge for her father. She gets things done, man.

8. Game of Thrones

Daenerys Targaryen is the Mother of Dragons, y’all.

9. Jane the Virgin

AND she’s hilarious.

10. Sex and the City

These women conquer the dating scene of New York City.

11. Empire

Do not mess with Cookie Lyon, aka co-founder of Empire Entertainment.

12. Girls

Lena Dunham touts her feminism both on screen and off.

13. Veep

If only she was VP IRL, amirite?

14. Grace and Frankie

Because older women can be spunky AF, too.

15. Orange Is the New Black

Enough said.

16. Parks and Recreation

Leslie Knope 2020.

17. Supergirl

I mean, she’s literally super girl.

18. 30 Rock

Liz Lemon owns her career, her life and her night cheese.

18 Inspiring TV Shows That Feature a Strong Female Lead