I couldn’t let another International Women’s Day pass without writing about some badass fictional chicks who inspire me.
Hermione Granger
Hermione has always been one of my favorite girls. She knew what mattered to her and always held her ground. Learning and doing the right thing were always her priorities, and she didn’t let anyone, including her friends, stand in her way. Poor Neville learned that the hard way.
Mulan
I always felt connected to Mulan, because she was the first, and only, Asian Disney “princess.” No, she’s not technically a princess, but Disney considers her to be one. Mulan valued her family, and did whatever she could to protect them. She used an awesome combination of brain and brawn to protect her whole country.
Moana
When Moana was introduced, I was so excited to see a princess who actually looks a bit like me. Like Mulan, Moana did what she had to do to save her people, even though it meant going against her beloved father. She sailed across the sea, brought a demigod to heel, and restored the heart of Te Fiti with the help of the ocean and some moral support from her awesome grandmother.
The Golden Girls
Like many kids of my generation, I grew up watching reruns of The Golden Girls with my mom. I’ve honestly lost count of how many times I’ve seen each episode over the years, and I’ve always looked up to those four women. Rose taught me to love with all my heart and to never lose my inner child. Dorothy taught me to never dumb myself down for a man. Sophia taught me to always speak my mind. Blanche taught me to embrace my sexuality, but to only do what I want to do, not what a man expects me to do. Thank you for being my friends.
Kimmie Schmidt
When someone says the word “badass,” Kimmie Schmidt probably isn’t the first person who comes to mind, but that’s exactly what she is. Kimmie spent years of her life in a situation that would break most people, but she never gave up hope. Of course she had her issues, but she didn’t let the horrors of the bunker stop her from living her life to the fullest after she escaped. Instead, she remained a cheerful, positive person and just lived her best life.
If you aren’t caught up on GOT, don’t read any further, unless you want some spoilers.
Brienne of Tarth
Yes, Brienne is super physically strong. She can kick just about any man’s ass, which is awesome. However, her greatest strength is her loyalty. She promised Lady Catelyn that she would protect her daughters, and she spent years fulfilling that promise. Even when both girls brushed her off, she did what she could to pursue them and protect them from afar. I can’t think of a better protector than Brienne.
Sansa Stark
I didn’t always love Sansa Stark. In fact, I actually really hated her for several seasons. However, she eventually grew from a whiny, entitled little girl into a strong, smart woman. She won the battle the battle to take back Winterfell, even though her brother didn’t want to listen to he, and she disposed of her rapist. She and her sister rid the 7 kingdoms of possibly the most despicable men.
Arya Stark
What can I say about Arya? She’s been a badass since episode 1! She was never content with doing “women’s work.” She could out-shoot and out-fight her brothers and the young boys in the village. She has always had a strong sense of right and wrong. Like her sister, she was also dealt a shitty hand, but she didn’t break under the pressure. Instead, she became an unstoppable warrior. The White Walkers, and Cersei, don’t stand a chance against her.
What are you doing to celebrate International Women’s Day? Who are some of the badass fictional chicks whom you admire?