Representation of women on television has come a long way since Betty White first appeared on screen. From crime-fighting superheroes to powerful lawyers and doctors, the roles women get to play now encompass a whole spectrum of inspirational, confident, in charge women. While we all have these types of women in our everyday lives, it is comforting to see them reflected on TV shows, allowing the world to see what women have always known: We’re pretty freaking awesome.
Here are some of the best women characters on TV that have surely shaped public perception of strong women for the better:
Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) - How to Get Away with Murder
A professor teaching you how to get away with literal murder? I beg you to find a more iconic woman than Annalise Keating. She is a fierce leader in her class and the courtroom, sometimes toeing the line between what’s right and what will get her what she wants: a trait often allowed for men but never for women. Plus, the character has been at the forefront of true, complex representation for Black women on television. Remember that scene where she took off all her makeup and wig, dismantling the mask she must wear each day in court in order to be taken seriously by her colleagues? Of course you do, because it was, and remains, one of the most impactful scenes in television history.
Shonda Rhimes and Viola Davis, the women that you are. Thank you for bringing Annalise Keating to life and also for teaching us how to get away with murder.
Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) - Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope is the kind of character that self-proclaimed positive people look at and go, “damn, that lady is too positive.” But it is her positivity, optimism, loyalty, and confidence in her abilities and ideas that make Leslie Knope one of the best characters on television. The Parks and Rec character will always look on the bright side, sometimes to a fault, choosing no other option than to succeed. One of Leslie’s greatest strengths is her female friendships, proving that when women work with and not against each other, things tend to work out. Now, go find your beautiful tropical fish bestie and chow down on some waffles!
Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) - One Tree Hill
Senior class president. Fashion designer. Foster mom. Godmother. Business owner. These are all words that describe Tree Hill’s most beloved prom queen Brooke Davis. What starts out as a stereotypical, boy crazy, cheerleader high schooler turns into one of the most complex, developed characters on a teen drama to ever grace the CW. Brooke Davis is such a staple of One Tree Hill, you may not even remember that she actually was not in the first episode. Brooke goes through entirely too much throughout the run of the show, from neglectful parents to a school shooting, best friends being tied up by their stalker and an assault from a stranger, but Brooke comes out in the end as a strong HBIC who takes no nonsense from anyone.
Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) - Grey's Anatomy
Shonda Rhimes really knows how to write a female lead. Meredith Grey of Grey’s Anatomy is a trauma magnet, and her ability to persevere and come out the other side of it all is quite inspirational, if not a little unbelievable. Her growth throughout the 20 years she has been on the show is astounding, taking the natural talents she got from her mother and using it to push the boundaries of medicine in the name of making the world a better place. There’s no Grey’s without Meredith Grey, and the two decade-long show has shown it has the same fortitude as its titular character.
Jacqueline Carlyle (Melora Hardin) - The Bold Type
The Bold Type is perhaps a lesser known show in the grand scheme, but its representation of female friendship and women in high-power positions in a male-dominated industry is unmatched. Jacqueline Carlyle, the editor-in-chief of women’s magazine “Scarlet” is everything you would ever want in a powerhouse boss. She is determined and authoritative when needed, but also the importance of compassion and empathy when leading a group of people. Her relationships with the young women in the show are aspirational. Throughout the run of the series it sometimes seems we are waiting for the other shoe to drop, exposing her for the true evil mastermind she is, but the time never comes and she is always there for our girls. And that’s what is so powerful about this role. She’s the boss, she’s a good, effective boss, and there is not one ounce of “bossiness” to her character. You trust her and know you can count on her to have your back.
Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) - Gilmore Girls
Emily Gilmore is a complicated woman. Her decisions don’t always make sense, particularly when it comes to Lorelai, and she can be quite insistent that her way is the correct way, but what is always apparent is how much she loves her girls and Richard. The verbal abuse she takes from her mother-in-law with zero intervention from her momma's boy husband is handled with the grace only a Gilmore girl could handle. She will defend those she loves and seeing her journey to finding herself after Richard passes in A Year in the Life was quite possibly the only good thing to come out of that reboot. Despite many of her flaws, you could never make me hate Emily Gilmore.
Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) - Veronica Mars
As far as teenagers go, Veronica Mars walks quite a thin line. She’s a teenage detective, often helping her Private Investigator dad solve cases, putting her life at risk way more often than a 16-year-old ever should. But that is also why she is on this list. Veronica Mars is a character with a fierce determination and desire to get to the truth of important matters. Her bravery is unmatched and if you think lugging around that giant camera in a flimsy backpack all the time is easy you’re out of your mind.
Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) - Gilmore Girls
How can we not talk about the fast-talking, coffee addicted, fiercely independent Gilmore, Lorelai? Lorelai Gilmore is the true definition of self-made. Even more impressive, it was a choice she made by leaving her uber-rich parents and starting her own life in small town Stars Hollow with her fresh baby. Throughout the show, we learn that Lorelai has never had a problem speaking her mind, always knowing who she is at her core, and never allowing someone to tell her what to do. The things she accomplished in her life are impressive, let alone for someone who had a baby at 16.
Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Rosa Diaz is the definition of an “independent woman who don’t need no man.” She is strong, beautiful, and courageous. Her arc in the last season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine shows her willingness to fight for the underdog and stand up to systemic racism and oppression as a Latina police officer. Her relationship with the other female detective on the show, Amy Santiago, proves the importance of female friendship, particularly when you are working in a male-dominated profession. Her journey coming out as bisexual was a sweet and complex storyline for an identity that is often minimized or made fun of in mainstream media.
Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) - Grey's Anatomy
It’s called Grey’s Anatomy but Cristina Yang was truly the star of this show. She always knew what she wanted, prioritizing her career over all else to be the best she could be. Her friendship with Meredith is one we all aspire to have in our lives. Cristina’s nuance and complexity was refreshing, and her confidence in who she was inspired us all. Screaming “screw beautiful, I’m brilliant!” at the top of my lungs in her honor.
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