Looking to kill some time? Whether you’re after some feminist media inspo or just in the mood for nostalgia, we’ve got you.
Here are 10 of our favourite fiery female fictional feminists in film, television and literature.
Lisa Simpson from The Simpsons
Witty, outspoken and iconic, Lisa Simpson is one of the OG feminists of our time. Lisa has never been afraid to speak her mind, to point out sexist double standards and state her political stances on social and environmental issues.
Ilana and Abbi from Broad City
This relatable duo is not only hilarious but they are also two of the most kick-ass feminists. Ilana and Abbi always manage to shed light on the daily sexist behaviour women face and show us how to stomp it down. They are unapologetically sex-positive and always stand up for each other and the sisterhood.
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
A literal witch, Hermione has always been the feminist symbol of the fantasy realm. While fighting the inherent sexism that pervades even in the magic world, she always manages to save the day with her wit, bravery and heart.
Moana from Moana
One of the more feminist Disney Princesses, Moana is an independent and courageous leader, unafraid to listen to her gut and trust her instincts. She stays true to her values and knows when to break the rules to make a point.
Leslie and Anne from Parks and Recreation
Although they are not perfect, Leslie and Ann always try to be the best feminists they can. Leslie is a perfect example of what it is like to grapple with internalised misogyny while being a feminist. But Leslie and Anne’s friendship is a great example of the power of female friendship and how women can lift each other up instead of tear each other down.
Diana Nguyen from Bojack Horseman
Diane Nguyen, the smart, laid-back writer, represents the modern feminist in a lot of us. She can often be hypocritical but still makes an active decision to be a feminist every day, even though she knows it can sometimes be the hard road.
Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You
The poster-child of 90s feminism, Kat Stratford showed us how to be angry feminists. She was unapologetic and always found a way to break the rules of the patriarchy. She didn’t care about what anyone thought of her and was always her authentic self.
Jo March from Little Women
A fiery feminist, well ahead of her time, Jo March is an idealistic, passionate and unapologetic feminist. Sticking to her passions even when society tells her no, she continues to break gender roles like nobody’s business.
Okoye from Black Panther
Okoye, the head of her team of bodyguards and a true fighter, exhibits the strength of feminism when it comes from within. She has strong morals and is a fearless leader, even in the face of great perils.
Daria from Daria
Cynical, sarcastic and outspoken in all the right ways, Daria has forever been the teenage feminist of our dreams. An icon in so many ways, Daria showed us how intellect and nonchalance can be used as weapons of destruction in the fight against the patriarchy.
It is important to keep in mind who our fictional feminist heroines are and what they represent. This list isn’t as diverse as I hoped it would be because for every feminist icon from a minority, there are so many feminists icons who are not. Representation matters and it’s important that we keep recognising the lack of minority representation in media and demanding better.
Here’s to embracing our classic feminist #queens and celebrating diverse heroines who reflect us all.
Sanduni Hewa Katupothage
Sanduni is a body and a soul: a human. She is interested in arts, science, social justice and spirituality. She also loves lemonade and cupcakes.
