I have always wanted to be a lawyer. For years, people have asked me why, and when facing an incredible amount of student loans, stiff competition for admission to law schools, and intense preparation for a single test to dictate the future of your career, it is something I have asked myself as well. I suppose the answer is much more complex than any one thing.
I want to be independent and financially stable to make my family proud, I want to pursue my dreams, I don't want my mother to ever work again, I want to prove to myself I am capable of accomplishing it, I want to win, and I want to look good doing it. In short, for those of you who have seen the movie "Legally Blonde"... I want to be just like Elle Woods.
I feel as though so many people are dismissive of Elle's character as being shallow or superficial, but I couldn't disagree more. Elle is a woman who exemplifies all of the characteristics I so admire and I believe that her confident and compassionate spirit should be applauded. So here's to you, Elle. And here's to aspiring lawyers like me, who are inspired by you... and here's why:
1. She is confident.
Elle never lets anyone tell her she can't do something, there is simply no room in her life for that type of negativity. When her friends discourage her by expressing their concern that law school will be hard she is undeterred. When she is discouraged from going to law school by her parents, she simply continues on her path. When her school counselor discourages her from attempting to go to law school and encourages Elle to aim lower than her high-standard of her dream school, Harvard, she insists she doesn't need backup schools. She believes in herself, knows what she wants, and doesn't allow herself to even think of anything less. While many may dismiss, she doesn't let her boyfriend, parents or anyone tell her she's too dumb for law school. She know's better, and she is confident in her ability.
2. Elle instills confidence in others.
Elle never lets people look at themselves as anything less than amazing, smart, capable and beautiful. She is a ray of positive energy wherever she goes and encourages others to love and believe in themselves. When Elle's best friend Paulette has a crush she is too afraid to talk to, Elle teaches her the "Bend and Snap" to boost her confidence. She then helps her stand up to her ex-boyfriend to take back custody of her puppy and helps Paulette use her newfound confidence to restore their family.
3. She has a style all her own.
Elle is fierce yet sophisticated. She is brave enough to be herself and embrace being feminine. She never apologizes for her femininity or her right to express herself through sense style and yet never hurts the feelings of those who are less fashionable. Instead, she encourages others to see their true beauty be expressive in their own way. Because appearances really do matter, impressions are important and "Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed," obviously.
4. Won't stand for the other people stereotyping her.
Outfit choices and fashion are obviously important to Elle, however, because her bubbly and feminine wardrobe is often a deviation from the norm, Elle is frequently taken less seriously than she deserves. She is often categorized as a dumb blonde or an airhead by those who don't know her and make negative assumptions based off of her physical appearance. Elle won't stand for this, though, and calls out anyone and everyone who disrespects her by treating her as a less based solely on her outward appearance.
5. She is kind to people who others would say are beneath them.
Not only does Elle never judge anyone for who they are or what they are interested in, but she also spends the vast majority of her time giving others the benefit of the doubt. While she was an undergrad in college, Elle was a beloved sorority president and undoubtedly considered popular, yet none of this gets to her head. Despite her having been best friends with what was undoubtedly the popular crowd, the people Elle befriends In law school ranges from the geeks to the nail ladies, and even falls for one of the TAs. She treats everyone with respect and never forgets that all people are, fundamentally, the same. Elle spends her time attempting to build others up instead of tearing them down.
6. She is nice to people who are mean to her or judge her.
A little kindness goes a long way in this world. Unfortunately, that is likely true because in today's society so few people go out of their way to be kind. When Elle is dumped by her college boyfriend and sees him again at Harvard, he has a new fiancee, Vivian. Although Elle is incredibly hurt at first, Vivian goes out of her way on multiple occasions to intentionally rub that in or embarrass her, but Elle is still kind to Vivian when she reaches out to her in a moment of vulnerability. This blossoms into an amazing friendship, because in the end, kindness always wins.
7. She is a proud sorority woman.
From the very first scene in the movie, it is evident to us all that Elle is a sorority woman and, as president, is very actively involved. Throughout the movie, it becomes clearer and clearer to us just how important her sisterhood is to her. The network is endless, her sisters are by her side through every birthday and breakup, and even sat by her side through her first legal trial. One of her sisters even turns out to be a client in a case she is working on and makes the choice to not reveal an alibi out of respect for the sacred bond that is a sisterhood. She never lets others dismiss how deeply she is committed to them, even after graduation. "I promised her. And I can't break the bonds of sisterhood"
8. She stands up for herself.
Although it put her own career in jeopardy, Elle kept her word to her client and sister, when presented with the opportunity to compromise it. Elle does not stand for the objectification of herself to any man and makes that very clear by immediately refusing unwarranted sexual advances by her male professor. She sees the "opportunity for advancement" in her career for what it really is, someone attempting to take advantage of her and not taking her seriously. But Elle does not allow herself to be compromised by him because she is a strong and competent woman who never allows herself to be treated as anything less.
9. She has enough self-respect to know when to say when.
Originally, Elle pursued law school for reasons that may not have been the best, but this is part of what made her so relatable. However, it is at a party in law school that Elle finally sees that the ex she had once been motivated to prove her worth to, just didn't see her value. Instead of crying over spilled milk, she decided to cut her losses, realize she deserved better, and channel that energy into positive motivation for her own sake. When she won her case, her ex begged her to come back to him but Elle turned him down and continued to progress as an individual. Snaps to that.
10. She doesn't give up, she pursues her dreams.
She never tries to be something that she isn't, and always attempts to be seen as what she knows that she is: beautiful, passionate, unique and intelligent. She lets nothing stand in her way.
Stay beautiful my friends. And in the words of Elle Woods, "Always have faith in yourself."
