It is a common theme: the obsession that comes with "One Tree Hill's" beloved lead character, Brooke Davis. No matter what internet platform you use, you are bound to find at least a dozen articles on why Brooke Davis is the be-all, end-all of television history. On the show, Brooke was once asked, "What's underneath all the clothes, Brooke Davis?" The answer is, a lot -- all of which have nothing to do with her good looks and flirty personality. At first glance, one might not think she's the ideal role model for girls across the world, but Brooke Davis is more than just a pretty face. In the words of Lucas Scott, "Brooke Davis is going to change the world someday."
1. She proved that you are capable of changing into the person you want to be, and that your past does not define you.
Brooke Davis is the most underrated television character in terms of character development. She went from being the vapid, shallow, popular party girl, to the smart, hard-working, determined girl on the Wall of Honor. She refused to let high school define her, and proved that no matter what your past is, you are in charge of your future and who you will become. Brooke shows us that the only person standing in the way of changing, is you.
2. She stopped letting boys dictate who she was as as a young woman and a person.
When it came to boys, Brooke Davis made some mistakes. She turned to them to fulfill voids in her life that shouldn't have been filled by meaningless flings with guys who didn't have her wellbeing at heart. At first, she used to care what they thought. We learned alongside Brooke, though, that young girls need to start believing that they are worth so much more than what some boy thinks.
3. She followed her dreams and started her own business while promoting a healthy self-image for girls, everywhere.
Brooke Davis could very well have relied on her good looks to get by in the world, but she didn't. She used her strong will and determination to push herself, and eventually created her own fashion line, becoming an incredibly successful business woman. When she made it to the top, she didn't allow herself to capitalize off of an eating disorder, and promoted positive body image through her designs by refusing to advertise models who were at an unhealthy weight. Brooke Davis doesn't just teach girls that they can do anything they set their minds to; she also shows them that they can do it all while practicing self-love.
4. She was a true friend, through thick and thin.
Brooke didn't always get along with her friends; they had their spats like all girls do. At the end of the day, though, she was a fierce and a loyal friend. She demonstrates how important it is to always put your friendships first. She would do anything for the people she loved. Brooke Davis is a girl's girl, which is so important for young women to see. We need to realize that we should stop competing with each other, and start holding each other up -- just like Brooke did with her girl friends.
5. She took a stand against being labeled, insisting that she was enough for the world.
Girls are told everyday what they should and shouldn't be, what they are and what they aren't -- how they will never be enough for anyone. Brooke Davis overcame those labels, and taught girls that they were enough for the rest of the world, simply by being themselves. In a society like today's, this message is needed more than ever before.
6. She went through hell and back to become a mother.
We all cried for Brooke when the doctors told her she wouldn't be able to have children, but we cried even harder when she beat the odds and became the best mom in the world. Brooke Davis set an example for everyone who's ever been told they can't do something -- she fought like hell and did it anyways. She became the best possible role model for her children. Someone who would do anything for her kids is the kind of woman young girls should aspire to be.
7. She didn't become jaded to love, no matter how many times she got her heart broken.
Brooke Davis got her heart broken time and time again -- from when Lucas cheated on her with her best friend, to when Owen made her feel like she was worthless. Brooke could have given up so easily on love, but all the while she held on to the belief that true love is worth waiting for. That kind of devotion to finding love and happiness is rare in our society today, unfortunately. Brooke shows girls how love is worth anything and everything, as long as your willing to fight for it.
8. She was proud of the person she was, and didn't let anybody tell her differently.
It's no secret that Brooke made some bad choices. Who doesn't? The point is that she owned the person she was and refused to be something that she wasn't. With Brooke, what you saw was you got. She taught us how to be true to ourselves. This message is so important to women everywhere, especially young girls.
9. She chose to marry a guy who didn't complete her, but who supported and cherished the woman she was from the start.
It wasn't that Brooke needed a guy to complete her -- that could not be further from the truth. She set an example for young women that once you fall in love with yourself, the rest falls into place. She never settled for anything less than perfect, which led her straight to Julian. In an age when love is easy to mistake, Brooke shows girls the kind of man you should be with -- one who doesn't fix you or complete you, but stands by the side of the woman you've become all by yourself.
So, thank you, Brooke Penelope Davis! You truly are an inspiration to young women everywhere.
