This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Women, men, and others are uniting now more than ever to protect the rights of the females in our lives, be it our mothers, our friends, our teachers, our co-workers, or ourselves.

In a world where hardships and inequalities for women are still prevalent in 2017 (why?!), we depend on feminist figures in real life who help fight for us when our voices alone aren’t enough. Don’t underestimate, though, the power of feminist figures on TV that we are also learning from.

These gals have more to them than what you see on screen:

1. Liz Lemon from 30 Rock

Blerg! Who says you need to have a husband and kids to feel fulfilled? Liz Lemon is single and ready to mingle whether she’s working on her night cheese or watching Ghostbusters. As Liz would say to the patriarchy: “Shut it down!”

2. Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers

The oldest Belcher child is a smart, strong, and sensual woman capable of anything a man can do. She’s the opposite of a damsel in distress, although it’s still nice to be wowed every now and then by Jimmy Jr.

3. Brooke Davis from One Tree Hill

Brooke Davis started off on the teen drama as the ditsy cheerleader who fell for Lucas Scott, but quickly and powerfully became one of the show’s strongest female characters, especially when she decided to stop letting boys she liked and the men in her life dictate her happiness. Brooke started pursuing her ambitions to be successful in her own eyes instead of allowing the negativity of those around her tear her down.

4. Lieutenant Olivia Benson from Law and Order: SVU

Olivia Benson is one of the most badass females on television and has been for a long time. She doesn’t take crap from anyone about her instincts for justice, always doing the right thing even if the morally wronger thing would be easier for her and for the case. The Lieutenant, also a single mother to a baby son, stops at nothing to seek the truth for voiceless victims.

5. Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec

Even though Parks and Rec is a comedy, Leslie is often confronted by men who think she’s not strong enough to be in such a position of power like her job allows but she always fights back defending the rights of women and the justice of gender equality all whilst breaking gender stereotypes.

6. Lydia Martin from Teen Wolf

It’s pretty well known on Teen Wolf that Lydia Martin is a genius but when the show was just beginning, Lydia used to mask her intellect behind her beauty. She gradually grew stronger and more confident in saving herself and her friends from evil supernaturals to the point where she now doesn’t need a boy to define her at all. We’re still rooting for her to be with Stiles, though.

Who are some of your TV feminist role models?

Sources:

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