As a 22-year-old female at a women’s liberal arts college, the last four years of my life have been a daily lesson in adult-ing and preparation for how to navigate a world run by men from the safe space of female leadership and empowerment. Not until last fall was my entire world opened up when I realized the knowledge, strength, openness and humility that Leslie Knope, the main protagonist of NBC’s recently concluded show, “Parks and Recreation,” had to share. Leslie’s ambition and unabashed love of life are an inspiration to anyone who watches, but as a feminist and a soon-to-be college graduate, her example proves to be that much more poignant.
Through Leslie’s cheerful, yet fierce, devotion to her work, her independence and her passion and respect for her friends -- male and female -- she inspires us to push ourselves to our highest potentials and to enjoy every minute of it.
Let’s see some prime examples of how she makes every day awesome, shall we?
1. She calls out white male supremacy.
2. She doesn’t just talk about it; she enacts feminism.
3. She owns her body, nobody else.
4. She takes an active role in initiating romantic relationships (and spares none of the details).
5. She utilizes original and illustrative lexicon; sugar-coating is just not her style.
6. She is extremely intuitive, and yet, not a know-it-all.
7. As strong a woman as she is, she knows when to ask for help from friends.
8. Speaking of friendship, she knows how to deal out the compliments that are simultaneously nonsensical and perfectly fitting (#ovariesbeforebroveries).
9. Besides making Ann feel like the most amazing human being in the world, Leslie shows how much she cares in her excitement for ALL the events in her 'work proximity associate's' lives.
10. She is overdramatic in the most charming/ endearing of ways.
11. She doesn’t shy away from big emotions: she knows the importance of being fully present.
12. She loves waffles. End of story.
13. She knows that lack-of-sleep-life.
14. She sustains a ferocious tenacity and stands by what she believes in.
15. She's a fangirl for actual political figures.
BAM, Michelle Obama
and cue Leslie's dream man, Joe Biden.
