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For our last #TBT in this month of strong women, we’re rounding up our favorite badass female characters from nine stupendous television shows. A common thread? They were all independent, loyal women who held their own while still fiercely caring about others which in my book is the epitome of #Girl Power.

 

Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights

Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) was the backbone of the Taylor household, and a force to reckon with. Not only did she guide her family, she was a guiding force in the lives of the students she worked with at the high school, especially in believing that Tyra could work hard and go to college and that Riggins could push himself academically.

 

Sydney Bristow on Alias

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) kicked ass—literally. She was a spy and double agent who traveled around the world on secret missions. Sydney was physically and emotionally strong. She had her vulnerable moments (remember when Will died?), but never let them prevent her from doing her job, or doing what was right. Not to mention, all her undercover disguises were amazing.

 

Sarah Michelle Gellar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) protected Sunnydale (and beyond) from demons, vampires, and other dark creatures while also dealing with normal teenage and young adult drama (being an outsider, making friends, dating, going to college, etc). Plus, she literally kicked a lot of ass.

 

Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls

This fast-talking single-mom had her ups and downs, but ultimately proved to herself and everyone else that she could achieve her dreams (opening and running her own inn with her best friend) while raising a smart, well-rounded, independent daughter in Rory. Lorelai (Lauren Graham) would go to bat for her loved ones without blinking an eye and was never afraid to stand up and be herself (even when her mother didn’t want her to).

 

The Halliwell Sisters on Charmed

Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) made an awesome team. While they had spats like normal sisters do (over men or sisterly habits), they also always had each other’s backs. They stuck together to defeat demons, banish ex-boyfriends, and to ensure each other’s happiness. Individually, each of the sisters knew how to support themselves in their careers (and when they didn’t, one sister would give the other a little push: like Piper in opening her club). However, their first priority wasn’t their own happiness, but in keeping the world and each other safe.

 

Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City

While Carrie may have been the heart of the show, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), in my opinion, was the backbone. She may have projected an exterior of nails, but her depth of emotion, vulnerability (especially when it came to having to raise a baby), and deep feeling for her loved ones made her a beacon for single women driven by their careers. She showed that you could have it all—and it was ok to want it all.

 

Leslie Knope on Parks & Recreation  

Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is just plain fantastic. Her boundless energy, can-do attitude, and steadfast loyalty to her friends can’t help but make you smile. Not to mention, Leslie was a staunch proponent of women in leadership roles (she pushed April from internship to working with her…and then gave her enough confidence to discover what she wanted to do on her own).

 

All of the women on The Golden Girls

Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose embody great ageless friendship, female independence and sass. Those four women dealt with life’s curveballs with humor and care. Basically, I hope that if I ever retire to Florida with my friends, I can live up to the high bar they set.

 

Veronica Mars on Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) is Nancy Drew for the television-watching mid-00s set. Similar to Buffy, Veronica dealt with normal teenage problems (dating or not dating; fighting with your parents), but also endured extraordinary situations (trying to discover her friend’s murderer; attempting to be a private investigator while still in high school). She never took any crap from anyone, was responsible for herself (and sometimes her father and friends), and stayed true to who she was (defying her father’s rules and still doing PI work).

Photo Credit: TV Land