In our day and age, the media’s influence is stronger than any other. Various television shows and movies have given us incredible women that we can look up to. There are so many fictional female role models, but these are a few that have influenced me. However, I must put a spoiler alert here, being that I may give away key plot points of some works.

1. Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Yes, Elle Woods changed her whole life for a man, but along the way Elle thinks less about winning back Warner Huntington III and more about making herself shine at Harvard. Through her endless determination, unconventional methods and self-sureness, Elle graduates from Harvard at the top of her class. Elle had to believe in herself when everyone was constantly telling her she didn’t belong at Harvard and she was nothing but a pretty face. Elle proved them wrong, and became a role model for any girl.

2. Meredith Grey (Grey's Anatomy)

No one has embodied strength in my mind more than Meredith Grey. Between a distant mother, an alcoholic father, a plane crash, her best friend moving across the world and so many friends and family members dying (including her husband, making her a single mother), there’s nothing you can tell Meredith that will shock her. Through every challenge she’s faced, she’s come out stronger, proving that she can be whoever she wants to be despite her circumstances. Her strength is incredible and I hope to be as strong as her.

3. Tris Prior (Divergent Series)

Coming from a faction that practices selflessness, Tris had every odd against her when she chose dauntless, a faction that practices strength and the killer instinct. The dauntless initiation included both physical strength and mental strength, which meant she had to fight and face her biggest fears. While doing that she also had to hide the fact that she was Divergent, meaning her mind can’t be classified as one thing, and can’t be controlled. Tris came out of initiation at the top of her class, and embodies exactly what a fighter is; someone who tries to reach their goals no matter what. In every book/movie she fights battles with admirable determination.

4. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

From the moment Katniss Everdeen volunteered as a tribute in The Hunger Games, so her little sister Primrose Everdeen wouldn’t have to, she embodied pure strength and courage. Even though she was scared for her life, she never stopped thinking about the importance of getting back to her mother and sister, who needed Katniss to survive, being that Katniss always got food and took care of Prim. She won the hunger games (twice) and was the face of a whole rebellion. The world couldn’t have rebelled without her, and made the 12 districts of Panem a better place, even though she lost her sister to the war.

5. Pam Beesley (The Office)

This one may seem a bit strange to some of you, but hear me out! Despite being a receptionist, and constantly womanized by her boss Michael Scott in a dead end job, Pam never lost hope for something better to come along. She followed her dreams of starting a family with and marrying longtime crush Jim Halpert, went to art school, became a sales person at Dunder Mifflin, and eventually became an artist and left Dunder Mifflin with Jim after 12 years. I chose to include Pam because she proves that even the average person can follow their dreams successfully and turn their life around.

6. Quinn Fabray (Glee)

Quinn Fabray was the golden girl of Mckinley high, until she became pregnant with the child of her boyfriend’s best friend, and notorious player, Noah Puckerman. She makes it through her pregnancy, and gives the baby away, knowing she cant give it the life it deserves. Numerous obstacles thrown at Quinn couldn’t keep her down, and she came out of every situation strong. She showed how strong she was when a car accident left her temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, but she didn’t let that stop her. Even with her crazy life, Quinn made it into Yale University, and kept a 4.0 throughout high school. She also proves that you can always turn your life around, no matter how bad things may seem, and that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

These characters remind us that you can always speak your mind, follow your dreams and believe in yourself, even when no one else does. They also prove women are just as strong and capable as men.