The majority of these characters I’ve been introduced to years ago. They inspired, and continue to inspire me everyday, to be a hard-working, confident women. I hope you’ll find some of your favourites here, or discover some new kick-ass characters reading this piece.

Upper East Side’s Queen B has always been, and forever will be my biggest inspiration. She always dresses to kill, and she has the courage to pick clothes that express who she is, even her choices make her stand out most of the time. (Who am I kidding? She stands out every single time.) She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and unapologetically pursue her goals. Blair never gives up anything, and she will sure try a thousand times to make it happen. She was born wealthy, but she has to fight for every opportunity, and the few times the opportunity is handed to her, she rejects it. She’s full of confidence and doesn’t let anyone (not even her mother), stand in her way. She has battled eating disorders, and didn’t throw away everything just to be with a man. Her main goal is to be a powerful woman, and she is just that. I would go into more details, but since she is my all time favourite character, you’d be reading 50 pages of just the meaning of her headband.

 

Rachel is a go-getter. She is extremely ambitious, grabs every chance she gets,  and spends every waking moment of her life trying to get better and better at what she wants to do, which is to one day, be on Broadway. She’s not a secure person, but when it comes to singing, she knows she’s the best, and she’s not afraid to show it. Despite the constant bullying she has to face, she always perseveres, and tries even harder. She is an “unconventional” beauty, she has a big nose, but she uses it as  tool to compare herself to her idol, Barbra Streisand. She is a true survivor, dealing with rejections and the death of the love of her life, she’s still able to look at the bright side, and bring positivity everywhere she goes.

Spencer is the ultimate gal I go to when I’m in need of some serious studying motivation. She is her own maker. Dealing with addiction, relationship issues, and family drama (plus a psycho team of killing stalkers, no biggie), Spencer somehow can always think of a way to solve her problems, and get through the situation. Her parents constantly push her to be perfect, and compare her to her big sister, despite them knowing  she wants to make something of herself as well, but on her own terms. As she develops, she’s starting to stand up against her parents, and do things her own way.  She showed me that sometimes you gotta know when to stop and take a break, and that that is absolutely okay. She would do anything for her friends, but doesn’t expect anything in return.

Angela is the newest one in this list. I’ve just recently got through the first two seasons of Mr. Robot, but I’m already fascinated with Portia Doubleday’s character. She grows so much in such little amount of time! She still has many flaws, but she constantly forces herself to get better, and she never gives up. She uses this programme (alongside with pictures in frames in her cubicle), that makes her say these positive, self empowering phrases, like “I am confident.”, “My confidence is powerful.”, and “I will do anything to reach my dreams.” This method may sound manic, or over-the-top, but they are in fact really helpful. I tried them myself in video form, and they’ve shown to be effective, but you must make watching/reading/saying them a habit. In a short span of time, Angela reaches a high position at her job. Of course, everyone (including her father), with their sexist way of thinking, accuse her that the only way she has gotten as far as she did,  is because she must’ve “given herself” to her boss. (In the show, it’s said in a more suggestive tone.) The truth is, she is really sharp, and knows exactly what to do to be where she wants to be. She also does not get scared to ask for what she wants. She’s aiming for people’s respect, but I hope that in the upcoming seasons she will find that withing herself.

Overall, these ladies, fictional of course, but helped me through so much, and taught me so much, and they constantly do still, to this day. I’m happy that we get to live in an era where we are bombarded with inspiring, awesome female characters who show us a way of dealing with life, going through struggles, and empowering one’s self.

Eszter Jászfalvi is a 16 year old femme from Budapest, Hungary, who’s a self-proclaimed perfectionist, a budding actress, a bibliophile and a beginner cook. Her favourite films include The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, Psycho, Donnie Darko, The Imitation Game and Brokeback Mountain. She’ll watch anything that Tim Burton and Wes Anderson makes, and whatever Dane Dehaan and Mia Wasikowska acts in. She’s also a serious binge watcher of all the good shows, such as Mr. Robot, Gossip Girl, American Horror Story, Bates Motel and Reign, also Black-ish. You can find her on Instagram @esztisworld and on Tumblr at esztiiscreatingherself.tumblr.com.