Storybrooke, home of a plethora of story book characters from expansive selections, is a place where good and evil collide time and time again. As a part of the modern world, characters from every land imaginable battle with their inner demons to try to stay true to their good side... Or they don't.
Villains are innately evil, one would think. If you were written as the "bad guy," it's assumed that you're stuck that way for life. It seems as though it's useless to fight the system and to hope while you're surrounded by unhappiness drawn from all of the wrongs that you seem to do.
However, Regina Mills of Storybrooke, the Evil Queen of the Enchanted Forest, challenges this notion by rising up to try to be the better person despite all of the odds stacked against her. She is definitely role model material. Here's why:
1. First of all, she's an independent woman and she "don't need no man." She breaks the stereotype that feminine characters in fairy tales are dependent on men to save them.
2. She's a real, relatable character. Sometimes, we're selfish and stubborn, and that's okay.
3. Regina has no problem saying "no," and she sure isn't about to be pushed around.
4. No matter how much she struggles, she never gives up. It's something that everyone could learn to do; even in defeat or following a relapse back to her evil ways, she doesn't stop fighting.
5. Pride may be something that's incredibly important to Regina, but she understands that pride isn't everything. She allows other people to help her when doing it alone just isn't feasible.
6. Family trumps anything else. Her unconditional love for Henry is truly admirable.
7. Not only is she loyal to her family, but she's loyal to her friends. When she cares about you, you're set.
8. And she knows who she is, despite any obstacles she faces. Reputations don't define who we are.
9. She speaks her mind, always. She doesn't play the "if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say it all" game.
10. Overall, she's just fabulous.
Regina Mills is so much more than just the Evil Queen, and she's highly worthy of your admiration. Mary Margaret's got nothing on her.
