In a world where the most exposed women in today’s society are notorious for their sex tapes and divorce scandals, it is nearly impossible for young women to find a suitable role model to look up to. Everywhere you turn in today’s media, there are naked pictures of Kim Kardashian “breaking the Internet," interviews of Miley Cyrus discussing her appreciation for drugs, and news of Nicki Minaj posting provocative photos of her in nothing but leather nipple covers on Instagram.
But among the narcissistic, plastic women that dominate the pop culture scene, there is still hope found in the hilariously brilliant Tina Fey. There are just five reasons why I believe that Tina Fey should be a role model to young women everywhere.
1) Tina Fey is smart and funny
I first fell in love with Tina Fey after first watching "30 Rock." Not only did I find the show hilarious, but it was also refreshing to discover that she was the writer. Not only is she funny, but she also is clever and witty. Fey was the first female head writer at "Saturday Night Live," and wrote one of the most quoted movies of all time, Mean Girls. Her autobiographical comedy book, Bossy Pants, topped the New York Times best-seller list and stayed there for five weeks upon its release.
2) Tina Fey doesn’t need sex appeal to be successful
Unlike most women in Hollywood, Tina Fey doesn’t use her sexuality to make her famous and get her ahead. She doesn’t flaunt her beauty or her body, and uses her personality and humor to woo audiences across the world. She has proven that generic beauty is not necessary in order to be successful, something so often overlooked by today’s younger generations.
3) Tina Fey loves food
Whether most girls want to admit it or not, they love food. Although we’ve been told that a size 0 is worth giving up that Saturday night trip to Taco Bell, Tina Fey has been very open about her love for food and her lack of desire to give it up. She is showing women that it is okay to let yourself eat what you want sometimes, and to not let society tell you otherwise.
4) Tina Fey isn’t afraid to speak her mind
She has discussed the insecurities that many women face among the demands society has placed on young women when it comes to body shape in Bossy Pants: “All Beyoncé and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful. Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits.” As someone who fails to fall under the category of hourglass figure or size zero, I can appreciate Tina’s humor.
5) Tina Fey is the ultimate feminist
Tina has never been afraid to take on the male dominated profession of comedy and comedic writing. As a woman, she is one of the most famous and loved comedians of our generation. She, along with fellow SNL female alum Amy Poehler, hosted the Golden Globes in 2013 with 19.7 million viewers, a six-year high. She has shown women across the world that men are not the only ones who can be funny.
