These Female Characters Will Make You Fucking Proud To Be A Woman

Because girl power is everything.

We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which female character made them feel proud to be a woman. Here’s what they said.

1. Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Lucas Film

"I have a 5-year-old daughter and halfway through watching it with me, she said, 'Finn keeps coming to save her but she doesn’t need his help. She can save herself.' Nailed it."

Submitted by tinal485d883b9

"She kicked ass and showed that she doesn’t need a man to be her awesome self. She wasn’t someone who was always doubting herself, or being self-deprecating. She showed confidence and ingenuity. She inspires me to be my best self, to believe in myself, and to not be afraid to take risks."

Submitted by tennisfolife

2. Leslie Knope, from Parks and Recreation

NBC

"Her 'never give up, never back down, and never apologise for being yourself' attitude was inspiring to me. Parks and Rec featured a lot of the struggles a women in politics, and other positions, go through in a comedic yet poignant way."

Submitted by chloejuleann

3. Lexa, from The 100

CBS

"Not only did she inspire me to become strong, loving, and caring to those I cherish the most, but she has also taught me to be brave and fight for what you think is right. She has been a part of me ever since I met her. I’ll always love her."

Submitted by e4335d746e

"Not only does she empower me as a woman, but she's one of the few queer women on television who just so happens to be a leader of one of the most badass groups of people ever."

Submitted by sophiad41cde572a

4. Hermione Granger, from the Harry Potter series

Warner Bros

"Hermione was better represented in the book series, because there was more of her presence. Her being a genius. Her being a savior in her own right. Without her, Harry would’ve still been trying to figure out what the Philosopher’s Stone even was. From the time I started the books to finishing the movies, she has shown me never to let anyone diminish your fire or love of anything. Because of Hermione I embraced my book smarts, love of reading, and sassiness. I was able to be confident in my intellect and I thank her for that. Every girl or woman should learn this and feel this on a daily basis and know that if a man doesn’t stick around or appreciate you like Harry and Ron appreciated her, they need to go straight to Azkaban."

Submitted by ekfutrell22

5. Olivia Pope, from Scandal

ABC

"She’s a complete badass who isn’t afraid to go after what she needs. She is powerful, intelligent, and compassionate."

Submitted by jasdeepb

6. Jessica Jones, from Marvel's Jessica Jones

Netflix

"She is a superhero who is inherently flawed, suffers from PTSD, and is a recovering abuse victim. Despite ALL of that, and being stalked by her abuser, she still remains strong and STILL chooses to do the right thing. Her story is not only empowering for women and abuse survivors, it also shows the world what it's truly like living with PTSD."

Submitted by jjwhattt

"She has superpowers but she’s scared of being controlled. She’s scared of a time when she felt like her abuse was her own fault because she wasn’t strong enough. But in the end she takes charge of her own narrative. She’s such a hero to me."

Submitted by abbyj6

7. The Wives, from Mad Max: Fury Road

Warner Bros

"They have been abused, raped, and held captive by a psychotic madman, two of them are pregnant with his children, they are told they are property, they are sex slaves. Yet they still have strength, they are given an opportunity to escape, and they take it. They are not passive, only relying on Furiosa to save them. They help save themselves too. They help Furiosa fight, they load guns, they shield her with their own bodies. They look after Furiosa when she’s hurt and help Max save her. They are badass women too, they show that victims can survive and be strong."

Submitted by meganc4d2b12f97

8. Michonne, from The Walking Dead

ABC

"She's amazing. So layered. She's strong yet vulnerable. She has femininity and power, but she breaks sometimes. She's beautiful and fierce. She is imperfect and makes mistakes, but she always learns from them. She is an amazing woman, played by an amazing woman."

Submitted by Sam Akira, Facebook

9. Jillian Holtzmann, from Ghostbusters

Sony Pictures

"She is so smart and passionate— it’s great having a female engineer be front and centre in a film. And it’s so awesome to have a queer woman with so much swagger and style in a film to empower us all."

Submitted by eleanorak

"She's an amazing representation for queer girls – unlike so many other plot lines of queer characters, she reminds us that your story doesn’t have to end in tragedy or death. That you don’t have be a stereotype, that you can rock the world, that your sexuality doesn't define you. She gave all queer girls and women a queer action hero and positive representation on screen, and brings hope that you can have a happy ending too."

Submitted by wssarl

10. Elle Woods, from Legally Blonde

Type A Films

"As a child I always assumed I would one day fit into the female gender norms that surrounded me every day and she taught me that you can do anything you want to in life and be amazing at it – while still looking completely gorgeous!"

Submitted by emiliaw45c46acbe

11. Kate Beckett, from Castle

ABC

"She has had so much heartbreak in her life but she just keeps fighting. Not only does she physically kick ass against bad guys, but she is incredibly smart and driven. Her mother's murder is why she became a cop, and for years she closed herself off to others so she wouldn't be hurt again, but she does begin to open up. The most badass thing about her though, is her fight with PTSD after being shot in the heart, and her desire to be more than the person she was before the shooting. She shows you can win the fight against your own demons."

Submitted by charlotteh4378e2207

12. Rogue, from the X-Men comic book series

Marvel

I was (and still am) dealing with a huge eating disorder, and I looked to the outcasts of society – mutants – for support. Rogue was everything I was: mysterious, strong, beautiful, and unique. She was also tragically plagued by her biological mutation which connected so much with me. I hated my body, which truly is a blessing and a curse. She hated her mutant powers which caused her the same emotional reactions. Still, she was strong and preserved, finding love and happiness! She taught me to love myself and understand the superhero I was.

Submitted by ruthieanns

13. Zoe Washburne, from Firefly

Fox

"She was a consummate soldier without being a stereotype. She was a fierce warrior but never a bully. And none of that precluded her from being a loyal friend, a loving and affectionate wife, and desire to have a family. She showed that being a tough, badass warrior woman and a warm, sexual and nurturing feminine presence are not mutually exclusive; you can be both at once."

Submitted by irishcowgirl

14. Lorelai Gilmore, from Gilmore Girls

Warner Bros

"She never depended on anyone to help her raise her daughter, support her financially, or help her start her own business with her best friend. She raised a daughter to go to Yale and she proved that just because you love pop culture and junk food, it doesn't mean you can't be smart and independent."

Submitted by Nicole Scamp, Facebook.

15. Rebecca Bunch, from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

The CW

"She’s flawed and makes many, many mistakes, but she always tries to be there for her friends. Also, her mental illnesses helped me to feel more normal for having my own. She may not be a perfect character, but she’s real, and deals with a lot of issues women face every day."

Submitted by ashtonb4848a5771

16. Aibileen Clark, from The Help

Dreamworks

"She was strong and resilient and carried herself with grace against the racial discrimination she and the other maids faced, while teaching beautiful values to all the children she cared for."

Submitted by burberrymuffin

17. CJ Cregg, from The West Wing

NBC

"While working in a world dominated by men she was the smartest, funniest, classiest person in any room. Made the shift from (spoiler alert) press secretary to chief of staff with grace and confidence. She shattered the glass ceiling. And can do a kick-ass cover of the Jackal. Love her."

Submitted by kayleeh4b61dd2b8"

18. Olivia Benson, from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

NBC

"She’s been my role model basically for forever, and her strength and compassion in SVU inspires me to be a better person. Her commitment to the women in the show taught me to always support the women in my life. She truly embodies the woman I want to be."

Submitted by claireification

19. Cristina Yang, from Grey's Anatomy

ABC

"She is the epitome of 'girl power' — she proves that your life, your happiness, is not about what someone else does or doesn’t do. It’s about you and your gift, and putting that first and foremost. Giving to get. Not worrying about what others think or impressing some guy, but rather impressing yourself. Making your dreams happen and changing the world in the process."

Submitted by cristinayang

20. Eleven, from Stranger Things

Netflix

"I absolutely adore her. For a young female character who barely speaks, Eleven is powerful and expressive. She's been through psychological hell and still holds friendship and keeping her promises as her highest values."

Submitted by Siobhan Gleason, Facebook.

21. Olivia Dunham, from Fringe

Fox

"As a kid who grew up with an abusive parent, it was so inspiring to see this woman, having experienced something similar, becoming extremely successful."

Submitted by Samantha Orion Lange, Facebook.

22. Jane, from Calamity Jane

20th Century Fox

"I first saw it when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It was my first encounter with a strong female character who was liberally portrayed as a tomboy. She was later viewed as a hero in her own right AND she got the guy in the end. After seeing this film, I was proud to be a woman, even if it meant wearing flats instead of heels."

Submitted by kadijak2

23. Mulan, from Mulan

Disney

"She dressed as a man to save her father from having to go to war, worked her way from the the worst soldier to one of the best in the Chinese army, and EARNED THE RESPECT AND FUCKING HONOR OF ALL OF CHINA EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS A WOMAN. She’s amazing."

Submitted by IceHexx

24. Buffy Summers, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Warner Bros

"Growing up watching Buffy definitely shaped my view on women. She’s the biggest badass going but that doesn’t mean she ever becomes hard or cold. She’s feminine, funny and vulnerable while still kicking ass until dawn. When Spike says 'I love how you try,' it's the essence of Buffy – it’s not about the winning or the slaying, it’s about getting up every morning and doing what you can to make the world better, even if no one thanks you for it."

Submitted by shonan

25. Katniss Everdeen, from The Hunger Games

Warner Bros

"She really inspired me as a young woman to believe in my strength. Though she faced adversity, Katniss ultimately did what was right, even when it wasn’t easy. Plus, her inner thoughts on family, love, and loss rang so true for so many people! A truly real, flawed, beautiful, badass woman."

Submitted by lydiad4101a4a0e

26. Meredith Grey, from Grey's Anatomy

ABC

"She was the first example I saw where a female protagonist wasn’t perfect all the time and not everything felt like it was about the guy. She was dark and twisty, and she could be that but still remain strong and fierce. Best of all, she was in love but never changed who she was because of that – and he wasn't the centre of her universe, which for someone used to rom-coms like me, was kind of crazy."

Submitted by SuperParaVox

27. Veronica Mars, from Veronica Mars

Silver Pictures Television

"She’s had traumatic events happen to her – rape, alcoholic and abandoning mother, dead best friend – yet she’s still strong, confident and not afraid to ask for help when she needs it."

Submitted by britainc

"She was a witty, intelligent, and badass private detective and knew how to crack any case. But aside from her sarcastic humour and quick wit, she was also very inspirational for girls. She was never afraid to speak her mind, or stand up for what she believed in, even if that meant facing danger and adversaries. As a little girl, I always wanted to be like Veronica Mars who never backed down and used her smarts to save the day."

Submitted by Nym Carters, Facebook.

28. Peggy Carter, from Agent Carter

ABC

"Not only would she be considered a total badass in today’s world, what with her super-secret, physically and mentally demanding job saving the world and all, but much of her accomplishments took place in an era when women had even fewer occupational options outside of being housewives and mothers. Like so many real women who due to World War II were able to work outside the home in traditionally male occupations for the war effort, Peggy also had to deal with the end of the war and the societal expectation that she step aside and let the men do the real work. Agent Carter sets such a positive example for young girls of today."

Submitted by allierowling

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