16. "Once Upon A Time"
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1. "You can't change the choices you made, all you can do is not let it ruin you."
Talk about a life-lesson for us all. We all make bad choices. It's how we deal with them that makes us who we are. We can't change anything, all we can do is learn from them and move on. Everyone makes mistakes, but Olivia teaches us all to learn from them, accept them and move on. Next time you make a mistake, let them teach you not destroy you.
2. "It's handled."
Each time Olivia would say this, I would cheer on the inside. Think about if we all looked at life this way. Instead of saying something is too difficult, let's just handle it. Life is too short to be worried about something, tackle it the Olivia Pope way. Now, go rock that exam or issue! Gladiators face fights, they don't run from them.
3. "If you want me, earn me!"
Girls, this is for you! You should always want guys to earn you, don't just give yourself away! Here's a tip too, you should earn the guy. Be the person your ideal partner is in your eyes. Become like the person you want to be with, and you'll find that person. Be an Olivia: strong, dedicated, fearless and compassionate instead of a Mellie who is so concerned about what everyone else thinks.
4. "You can dance with me, or get off my dance floor. I'm fine dancing alone."
Girls, never be too afraid to be alone. So many times we are surrounded by people who are coupled up, and we think we must be too. If you're single, you're single for a reason. Make the best of it and take this time to be you and figure out what you want. Learn from the mistakes of the people in relationships around you. This is your time to be unapologetically you. Olivia proved here that you can be strong and independent. We should be happy being us. Be strong and independent, because you're too great to have your smile shadowed!
5. "I don't want normal, and easy, and simple. I want painful, difficult, devastating, life-changing, extraordinary love."
Who doesn't? If we only want a love that's easy, we should just stop looking. The best things in life aren't easy, and it won't mean as much to you if it's easy either. The best things in life aren't normal and easy. Think about every romance movie you've ever seen and fantasized about being in, none of their lives or relationships were easy. Everyone deserves a love that sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel like you're living in your own romance novel.
6. "I don't want to talk. I want to eat too many fries and drink way too much wine and have a relaxing evening."
Preach, Olivia. There's nothing wrong with "you" time! Take time to appreciate yourself, too. We often get so caught up in everyday lives we forget to take care of ourselves. This is a lesson for everyone that if you're stressed, unhappy or sad, take some time for you. On bad days, handle them the Olivia Pope way: with wine and fries. You've got this, gladiator.
1. Olivia Pope
On "Scandal," Olivia Pope is the person you want to know. Not only is she amazing at her job, but she is a black woman working for a conservative president.
2. Jane Villanueva
As the title of the show, "Jane the Virgin," suggests, Jane avoids societal and peer pressure to have sex before marriage while also pursuing her dream of being a published romance author.
3. Daphne Vasquez
Many of the "Switched at Birth" plotlines revolved around Daphne's struggles as a deaf teenager that was switched at birth and raised in a poor Latino family rather than an upper class white family. I'm pretty sure that goes against every societal expectation ever in existence.
4. Lorelai Gilmore
Anyone who has ever seen even just one episode of "Gilmore Girls" knows Lorelai Gilmore doesn't even fit on the social norm spectrum. She ran away from her parents' mansion as a teen mom and raised her daughter in a shed at an inn until they got up on their feet.
5. Rachel Green
Rachel's introduction on "Friends" is about as untraditional as it gets: she runs into Central Perk in her wedding dress as she leaves her fiancé at the altar. She abandons her upper class lifestyle to build her own life from the bottom up. Very rarely does a woman do that in either real life or on TV.
6. Jane Bingum
As she struggles to impersonate the lawyer she has become, "Drop Dead Diva's" Jane Bingum drifts further and further away from the vain model she once was. Her character illustrates that there's nothing wrong with being an intelligent woman and indulging in the glamorous parts of life at the same time.
7. Mia Thermopolis
In the first "Princess Diaries" movie, Mia really is just a normal, flirty high school girl. However, when she begins training to be a queen in the second movie, she does not allow her new country to force her into marriage with someone she doesn't love. Additionally, she uses much of her clout to empower the young women she meets throughout the film.
8. Dr. Temperance Brennan
Dr. Brennan proves that women can be just as smart, if not smarter, than men. In almost every episode of "Bones," it is her discovery that leads to solving the crime.
9. Robin Scherbatsky
Robin doesn't buy into the marriage and kids path to happiness. Instead, she focuses on her career and discovering who she wants to be throughout her "How I Met Your Mother" storyline. Robin only gets married when she's truly in love, and even then she maintains her status as "one of the guys" rather than a lady.
10. Leslie Knope
In addition to teaching a group of young girls, the Pawnee Goddesses, how to be BA women like she is, Leslie Knope from "Parks and Recreation" sees no barriers on the basis of gender and is always pushing through the glass ceiling to assert herself as a powerful human being.
What are you waiting for with this powerful roster of ladies in the media to look up to? Embrace your quirks and personality!
1. Olivia Pope from Scandal
GiphyResident Badass of Washington D.C., this woman makes fixing scandals look like a cake walk. There's nothing I love more than seeing a strong female lead in a series but Shonda Rhimes has done it again bringing issues of race, our justice system, family values, and overall morals with a much more realistic "Strong Black Woman" character type. With her coworkers as her family, Olivia shows the lengths she's willing to go to protect them and it's something fierce. What I would give for some interview fashion advice from the Washington Royalty herself.
2. Annalise Keating from How To Get Away With Murder
GiphyMuch like Ms. Pope, Annalise is one tough-as-nails lead character. Everyone and their mother has some dark secrets of their own and Ms. Keating is not shy of them, however her unorthodox teaching methods for her top law students have shown more than just the devotion of her students but how well she's prepared them for easily making partner at a big law firm. No one is gonna drag you through hell or high waters quite like her, but you'll thank her for it in the long run.
3. Dr. Miranda Bailey from Grey's Anatomy
GiphyIt's no surprise that Dr. Miranda Bailey, yet another genius character from the mastermind that is Shonda Rhimes, would be one of the top fictional characters to look up to. With her distinguished medical career, love for her son Tuck, the interns she raised to be residents and future Attendings and Chiefs of their own specialties, and challenges she faces as a black woman in a very high position, Bailey proves time and time again that she is the true Queen of Grey Sloan memorial and our hearts. Her wit, grace, intelligence, and nurturing personality are what make her a remarkable woman. Our future Surgeons would be lucky to have her.
4. Detective Olivia Benson from Law & Order: SVU
GiphyIf you haven't grown up watching every single episode of Law & Order: SVU you have truly missed out on the inspiration that is Olivia Benson. Not only is it incredible to watch a female in the force be as badass and saving the day as she is but she has truly proven that being a woman with a strong compassion does not hinder her ability to do her job, in fact it amplifies it.
5. Liz Lemon from 30 Rock
GiphyLiz Lemon is the true workaholic of our generation. The woman cares so much about her job and her show her personal life goes into shambles, she forgets to eat, and even forgets her own birthday. She's the type of passionate boss we wish we had and would hate to disappoint. She puts so much of herself into what she does that work really is her life and its admirable. She reminds us that we don't always have to be the ice queen to be a badass boss babe!
6. Leslie Knope from Parks & Recreation
GiphyWhile some may view our dear Leslie Knope as blindly enthusiastic, her charm and passion for her job as Deputy Director of Pawnee City parks show the importance of leadership and dedication no matter the level of the job. She's the type of boss that will pick you up by your bootstraps and tell you a charming story when you're feeling down. She is proof that Kindness does bring you a long way in life and that being a good leader doesn't mean you can't be soft at times.
7. Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones
GiphyWhile it's not her fault she was born into an incestual and tyrannical family, you gotta give it to her, the girl handles her heritage very well. She didn't have to go freeing towns of slaves, being a mother to dragons, and caring deeply for family tradition but she DID. All while doing this in her very early 20s. While none of us will be ruling our own kingdoms any time soon, I think its safe to take a page from her book on human rights and treating those around you who support you.
8. Claire Underwood from House of Cards
GiphyAs a woman running with the "big dogs" in D.C. Claire holds her own as a lobbyist and furthers her political career behind advocating for a sexual assault prevention bill. While working with the Inner Circle of the White House one can become quite ruthless in the pursuit of power, however you can't help but admire Claire's determination to get what she wants and the big dreams she has for herself. It takes a lot of work to be playing in the big White House and we're just happy to see a woman in that seat climbing tooth and nail to get there.
9. Cookie Lyon from Empire
GiphyEmpire CEO Cookie Lyon played by Taraji P. Henson may not be exactly the career you had in mind, returning from jail on drug charges, but this queen bee stops at nothing to get what she wants and will absolutely wreak havoc all over the place in the process and thats some strong energy i'd like a piece of. Cookie doesn't compromise her self or her family and always puts them first, a say-it-like-it-is-woman through and through.
10. Minerva McGonagall from The Harry Potter Series
GiphyI simply couldn't leave Mrs. McGonagall out of this list, after all she is the true queen of our generation. A highly respected teacher of transfiguration and powerful witch, you wouldn't want her catching you after hours in your invisible cloak. She taught a lot of us what it meant to truly be a mentor, in support of her students and fighting alongside them. A master of dry wit, we would all be lucky to study under her.
1. "Jane the Virgin" (Netflix and The CW)
Giphy"Jane the Virgin" is an hour-long show that follows Jane, a 23-year-old virgin, who is accidentally artificially inseminated with the sperm of a guy she used to have a crush on. "Jane" is a go-to for me because it follows a telenovela-like format, so it's about as far from reality as possible.
2. "The Office" (Netflix)
Giphy"The Office" is quite likely your fave show to binge already, but it's so funny that you can laugh your way through the chaos of living with your family again.
3. "House Hunters" (Hulu and HGTV)
GiphyOkay so, there are two reasons this show made my list: 1) Buying a house probably isn't on your agenda at the moment and pretending to buy one is fun and 2) People are so extra and it's fun to watch.
4. "Gilmore Girls" (Netflix and Freeform)
GiphyThis show is known for its fast-talking characters, so if it's your first watch "Gilmore Girls requires your undivided attention. (If reading is more your thing, check out this "Gilmore Girls" inspired reading list.)
5. "Love It Or List It" (Playstation Vue and HGTV)
GiphyThis one is my favorite at the moment. Hilary and David play up the dramatics and the couples always seem to find something to argue about. Plus, it's an hour-long design show, so there's actually a story to follow.
6. "One Tree Hill" (Hulu)
Giphy"One Tree Hill" brings up many important topics about real life, but so many of the elements of the show are unlikely to happen in real life.
7. "Making a Murderer" (Netflix)
GiphyYes, this is a documentary series. However, the events are so ridiculous it's hard to believe this all actually happened.
8. "Big Brother" (CBS All Access)
GiphyThis sociology experiment is in its 20th season and just keeps on getting better. "Big Brother" is my most favorite part of the summer. (Yes, this is where THAT gif comes from)
9. "How I Met Your Mother" (Hulu)
Giphy"HIMYM" never, ever gets old. Plus, there are very few (if any) plot gaps. The quality and laughs are there, trust me. You'll be able to pass the time easily.
10. "Scandal" (Netflix and Hulu)
GiphyIf you thought "Grey's Anatomy" was intense, boy does Shonda Rhimes have a surprise for you. You'll easily be able to ignore your family with "Scandal" on the TV.
So, which show(s) are you going to add to your summer binge list?
DISCLAIMER: The streaming platforms listed next to each title are valid as of posting and are subject to change.
