We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which female film character inspired them the most. Here are some of their badass responses.
1. Hermione Granger, The Harry Potter Series
Why she's inspiring: "She showed me it was OK to be super motivated and eager to answer questions in class. School may be a crucial step in life but friendship and bravery are just as important."
Submitted by iandthismystery
2. Hazel Grace, The Fault in Our Stars
Why she's inspiring: "At first, Hazel focused on death, believing she was a ticking time bomb and that no one should be around her. In the end, she opened herself up to others, and that's something I'll always keep close to my heart."
Submitted by Anna B., via Facebook
3. Bridget Jones, Bridget Jones' Diary
Why she's inspiring: "Yes, she may screw things up and make a fool of herself, but she always comes from a place of total self-possession. Her social mishaps and insecurities about her body don't prevent her from having a successful, fulfilling, and happy life in both the personal and professional realms."
Submitted by jblair93
4. Eowyn, The Lord of the Rings series
Why she's inspiring: "She loves her family fiercely, but still won't let them get in the way of what she knows is right. When she got rejected by the guy of her dreams, did she sit down and mope for months? Hell no! She got up and went on to kill the second-most powerful villain in Middle Earth."
Submitted by Tatiana P., via Facebook
5. Lisbeth Salander, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Why she's inspiring: "She spent her life completely manipulated and having people trying to control her. Yet, she stood her ground and was 100% herself. She never cared that everyone judged her based on her appearance. Lisbeth was much tougher than your average person because she had to fight for everything in life."
Submitted by sboyd787
6. Agent Peggy Carter, Captain America: The First Avenger
Why she's inspiring: "She is not only Captain America's friend and love interest, she is also a kick-butt feminist and secret agent working her way toward success in a time where men had all the power. Despite the discrimination against women in the 1940s, she gained a position of power in the army, helped advise Captain America, and helped form the SSR and SHIELD."
Submitted by higracie221b
7. Belle, Beauty and the Beast
Why she's inspiring: "She is the only princess who reads and sees real value in knowledge, who doesn't fall for a pretty face, who sacrifices herself for her father, who is interesting and curious, who sees inner beauty, and the only one who doesn't wait around for a man to save her."
Submitted by Camile F., via Facebook
8. Rose, Titanic
Why she's inspiring: "She spoke to women of all ages to follow your heart and to live your life according to your own rules. PLUS despite losing her one true love, she carried on and ended up living a happy life. It proved to us all that life DOES move on after hard times."
Submitted by brittanycreed
9. Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
Why she's inspiring: "She took a bad situation in her life and used it as fuel to discover her dreams. She was always positive and kind to everyone she came across. She worked really hard to achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer but she was still able to maintain her image as a fun-loving sorority girl because that is who she was.'"
Submitted by Zoe K., via Facebook
10. Luna Lovegood, The Harry Potter series
Why she's inspiring: "She stands up for what she believes in, she takes the high road when dealing with people who mock her, and she completely embraces her individuality; feeling no need to conform to the norm."
Submitted by mckenziealford
11. Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games series
Why she's inspiring: "She proved that no matter what your background is, you have a spark inside you that can ignite change."
Submitted by victoriac4182b188c
12. Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice
Why she's inspiring: "She was outspoken and wasn't concerned about status."
Submitted by christinaedwards77
13. Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer
Why she's inspiring: "She conquered her fears and never let anything hold her down. It shows that when something goes terribly wrong in life, with faith and strength you can pull yourself back up."
Submitted bygidgetisbae
14. Mulan, Mulan
Why she's inspiring: "She never gives up on herself and she proves that she can be just as good of a warrior as any man."
Submitted by sailorgirl789
15. Ellen Ripley, The Alien series
Why she's inspiring: "She was the ultimate badass. A strong, smart, and fierce warrior."
Submitted by tcady0514
16. Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
Why she's inspiring: "She's level-headed, responsible, and kind, all the while knowing that things likely aren't going to go her way. She was fully prepared to live in misery for the rest of her life if it meant her family were as happy as possible given their circumstances."
Submitted by gracem401fb55bd
17. Dot, A Bug's Life
Why she's inspiring: "While she viewed her size and inability to fly as a weakness, her courage and bravery became her strength, and she helped save the ants from the grasshoppers. She showed me that despite feeling like you can't make a difference, you can eventually find a way to change the world."
Submitted by lightheart16
18. Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Why she's inspiring: "She taught me that being different is a great thing. As well as accepting others by who they are on the inside and not just by their physical appearances alone."
Submitted by hoodiesandsweats
19. Jo March, Little Women
Why she's inspiring: "She's strong, opinionated, and stands up for herself."
Submitted by ekuas
20. Tris Prior, The Divergent series
Why she's inspiring: "She stayed strong until the end even though all of these bad things happened to her. She was very loving and caring toward the ones she loved. She showed us that bravery comes in different shapes and sizes."
Submitted by carmenpacheco98
21. Jasmine, Aladdin
Why she's inspiring: "She speaks her mind, does what she wants, and knows how to enjoy life in the process. Plus she is sassy AF."
Submitted by brittanycreed
22. Karen Blixen, Out of Africa
Why she's inspiring: "She was an incredibly strong and courageous woman who faced any challenge head-on, whether it was moving to Africa or her dissolving marriage. She definitely embodies strength and determination."
Submitted by kb5283
23. Jackie Brown, Jackie Brown
Why she's inspiring: "She's a strong black woman who knows what she wants. Life has been hard to her but she still hustles."
Submitted by hlx8
24. Merida, Brave
Why she's inspiring: "Her sheer stubbornness and the will she has to make things right and overcome her fears just makes me want to be amazing."
Submitted by abigailh49885ace9
25. Skeeter Phelan, The Help
Why she's inspiring: "She was strong and compassionate during a time when so many people weren't. She fought for the rights of her friends and didn't let anyone tell her how to do things."
Submitted by Erinne B., via Facebook
26. Scarlett O'Hara, Gone with the Wind
Why she's inspiring: "No matter what, she fought for her family. Even though she made some terrible mistakes when it came to love, she survived them all."
Submitted by Clarissa B., via Facebook
27. Coraline Jones, Coraline
Why she's inspiring: "She taught me that even the ordinary can be extraordinary; we need only be brave."
Submitted by Erin T., via Facebook
28. Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins
Why she's inspiring: "She's firm, wise, clever, prim and proper, and optimistic."
Submitted by Margareth M., via Facebook
29. Nausicaä, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Why she's inspiring: "She shows strength, compassion, kindness, and intelligence in order to save her people and the Ohm. She never gives up even in the face of extreme adversity."
Submitted by Anna L., via Facebook
30. Matilda Wormwood, Matilda
Why she's inspiring: "She's a child who realizes adults can be wrong, and books are the best. She taught me that knowledge is power."
Submitted by Emily E. M., via Facebook
31. Sam, The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Why she's inspiring: "She inspired me to be myself and not do what everyone expects me to do."
Submitted by cumberperson
32. Katherine Watson, Mona Lisa Smile
Why she's inspiring: "Her character forced me to look at the world around me in a new light — to see art and beauty for what it is and to make choices for myself, not anyone else."
Submitted by missmadiejean
33. Evelyn O'Connell, The Mummy
Why she's inspiring: "She stands up for what she believes in and doesn't let any man tell her what she can/can't do. She saves the world with her knowledge, cleverness, and bravery."
Submitted by Tracy E., via Facebook
34. Summer Finn, 500 Days of Summer
Why she's inspiring: "She's effortlessly cool, stylish AF, and is 100% honest with Tom. It's admirable for someone to be so honest."
Submitted by Anna K., via Facebook