In recent years, there has been a widespread call for well-written women in order to combat the stereotypical “damsel in distress” model that is so often found in TV and film. Usually, this leads to people begging for “strong” (read: masculine) women, but a woman does not have to be this way in order to be a good character. It is possible for women to play complex, interesting roles without having to take on masculine qualities. The women I have listed below come from all walks of life but all have one thing in common: they are portrayals of complex women.
Rey, "Star Wars"
Rey, perhaps, is the epitome of a well-written female character; she is feminine while also physically strong, self-sufficient while childlike enough to reflect her age, independent while devoted to those she cares about, and brave in times of adversity while fearful when first called to power. She is a complex character with room to grow.
When "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was released, many people complained that Rey was a “Mary Sue,” which is “any female character who is unrealistically talented or skilled.” These complaints probably stem from the fact that Rey is written like a male character; she doesn’t face any compromises to achieve her goal. According to Sarah Marie Griffin's article, "Opinion: Girls Explain 'Star Wars' To You," "Rey is given a luxury that comes so easily to male heroes – she simply turns a corner, finds a magical item (Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, no less) and it awakens the Force in her. Just that. No searing infertility, no rape, no revelation of past abuse, no heartbreak, no sacrifice. No heroine who’s validity is defined by what she has sacrificed... No poison apple, no needle on a spinning wheel here.”
Leslie Knope, "Parks and Recreation"
Leslie Knope is depicted as a funny, smart, and loyal character. Perhaps one of the best things about her is how passionate and dedicated she is to her job. Leslie puts 110 percent into her work, for causes she truly believes in, and as a result, she goes far in her career. She teaches young men and women that hard work can pay off, and to not be ashamed of being passionate about something.
Throughout the series, Leslie learns to also reign in her enthusiasm in order to let her friends discover their own paths. In addition, Leslie is an unapologetic feminist, and is a huge advocate for equality. When confronted with the controversy about if it is better for women to be stay-at-home moms or have a career, she says, “If you want to bake a pie, that’s great. If you want to have a career, that’s great too. Do both, or neither, it doesn’t matter. Just don’t judge what someone else has decided to do.” To sum it up, she believes women should be able to choose what they want to do with their lives without being judged.
Furiosa, "Mad Max: Fury Road"
When people think of a “strong female character,” they most likely think of someone like Furiosa. She is the female action star people have been waiting for. Unlike most female action movie leads, she is not sexualized in any way. Though she has lost an arm, this does not hinder her fighting skills. She is determined, a born leader, and perhaps one of the best things about her is that she is full of hope. She never gives up and always chases the better option. Although Max is the title character, Furiosa steals the show and is just as much of the protagonist as Max.
Peggy Carter, Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Agent Carter"
According to actress Hayley Atwell, Peggy can do “everything Captain America can do, but backwards and in high heels.” She kicks a** without sacrificing her femininity. In the TV show "Agent Carter," Peggy diffuses a bomb with cleaning products and feminine grooming items, exploits male discomfort with the topic of menstruation to buy time, and constantly proves to be just as, if not better equipped, for her dangerous job than her male counterparts.
However, throughout the first season of the show, her coworkers constantly write her off as just being Captain America’s former love interest, and do their best to keep her out of the field. Peggy is constantly forced to prove her value to society, but the writers of the show also give her space to mourn for her lost love, which makes for an interesting and evolving character arc.
Monica Geller, "F.R.I.E.N.D.S"
While Rachel Green has the best arc of the series, Monica Geller is severely underappreciated. Not only did she overcome teenage obesity, she also grew up in an emotionally abusive home with a mother who subjected her to relentless criticism. She excelled in a traditionally masculine career, and earned a job as head chef by her own merit, instead of taking unfair advantages. While being dedicated to her career, she also unapologetically revelled in traditional feminine ideals like marriage, having kids, and taking care of a household. When it came to love, she broke up with the man who she thought was the love of her life because he did not want the same things as her, only to later become a supportive girlfriend and wife to the actual love of her life, making them one of the most celebrated TV couples of all time.
This is in no way a complete list; I did not even get to Olivia Pope, Natasha Romanoff, Buffy Summers, Pepper Potts, Hermione Granger, Emma Swan, Katniss Everdeen, or many others, but I feel these ladies are some of the most inspiring female leads in TV and film.
