Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Willow is smart -- very smart. She's does well in school. Willow is good with computers, can hack into almost anything, and deciphers ancient texts in her spare time. She enjoys reading, programming, and friends. Despite being super smart, she respects other people's limitations.

While she's a bit clumsy and shy, Willow is pleasant and gets along with almost anyone. She is super cute, feminine, and has a gentle nature. By embracing her differences, Willow evolves from a shy introvert to a strong female character. She never limits herself and shows unparalleled bravery to protect the people she loves. She is able to keep healthy and lasting friendships and relationships.

Temperance "Bones" Brennan from Bones

Bones has become one of my favorite shows simply because of the Dr. Brennan character. She's a forensic anthropologist. She keeps her clothes on. She's intellectual, well-spoken, and multi-dimensional.

Dr. Brennan had a difficult childhood in and out of the foster care system. Her family life, at best, is a jumbled mess. Despite this, she has at least 2 doctorate degrees. She rationalizes almost every action and is highly analytical. Her intellectual abilities make her a leader in her field.

In her spare time, Dr. Brennan writes bestselling crime novels. She is trained in martial arts and has a legally registered gun. Dr. Brennan knows at least seven languages. While Dr. Brennan is occasionally involved with males, they don't define her character and often disappear after a few shows. She is devoted and dedicated to her work -- something which she excels at beautifully.

Dr. Brennan's weakness is sometimes being overly analytical and cold. A psychologist on Bones suggested that she used her analytical nature as a defense mechanism.

(Kathy Reich, the creator of this character, is even more interesting and amazing... but not fictional, so I'll leave that for another blog.)

Princess Cimorene from Dealing With Dragons

Princess Cimorene is one of my all time favorite literary characters. She's feisty, smart, and motivated. When I have a daughter, this is one of the first books she's getting. What more could you ask for?

Princess Cimorene grows up frustrated with her sheltered life. She is very against any proper princess-ly duties and decides instead to go and get abducted by a dragon. The princess packs her bags, spends many days hiking to the dragons layer, and then demands the dragons abduct her.

Many princes come to challenge her dragon and save her. She turns them away, muttering rudely at them or directing them to princesses that want to be saved. She gets so frustrated by being bothered constantly that she puts up signs that the roads are washed out. She also tells off a few nasty dragons and wizards.

In her spare time, she becomes adept at magic. She works hard and enjoys it. Oh yeah, and she uncovers a devious plot to overthrow the dragon kingdom and saves the day. She's all around a strong, interesting, and neat character. Every little girl should grow up with this book.

Rose Tyler from Doctor Who

Rose Tyler starts out as a vapid, boring, annoying female character. However, as her world opens from middle class mediocrity to the wider universe, Rose progresses as a character. One of the most wonderful things about her character is her fiery determination and spirit.

Rose isn't particularly intelligent and she doesn't have any superpowers. She starts out as a store clerk with very little to look forward to in life. She runs into the Doctor who offers her a chance to see the stars. Of course, she accepts.

Rose loves the Doctor. The Doctor loves Rose. Rather than following him like a puppy, she clearly states her own opinions in pretty much everything. A strong will, even when teased or taunted. She never backs down, but takes things with a good sense of humor.

Rose's most admirable quality is the desire for more, to see the world and beyond -- her sense of wonder, adventure, and excitement. Her bravery is unparalleled, even in the worst of situations. When the Doctor abandons her, she breaks into the TARDIS, absorbs all its energy, and saves the universe from the evil Daleks.

Rose saves the universe again when realities are colliding. She organizes a team which helps her cross through dimensions. She even sports a giant gun and kills a few Daleks.

Zoe Washburne from Firefly

Zoe Washburne. Need I say more? She's a warrior to the core. Tough, deadly, and commanding.

Zoe always stays calm in tough situations. Second in command, she is the sensible counterpart to the captain, Malcolm Reynolds. She never backs down from a fight that needs fighting, but is the first to suggest diplomatic relations.

Hardened and shaped by war, Zoe thinks before acting, rarely letting emotions consume her. However, she is not cold. Zoe is very warm to her husband, Wash, with whom she has a happy and healthy marriage.

Oh yeah, her her wardrobe is freaking awesome.

Velma Dinkley from Scooby Doo

Who could forget Velma's bright orange sweater, red skirt, and clunky glasses? She dresses modestly and relies on her brains. What could be more awesome?

Without Velma, it's likely Mystery Inc. would cease to exist. Unlike Daphne,--who is always clinging to Fred for protection and getting abducted/seduced-- Velma usually manages to take care of herself. She is the brains of the operation and 90% of the time she solves the mystery! On top of that, Velma and Fred work together to devise criminal catching devices/traps. She doesn't shy away from unmasking criminals once they're caught, either!

In addition to her usual crime solving skills, Velma has a multitude of awesome talents. She has been known to decipher Chinese writing, operate communications equipment and computers, read scientific data/formulas, and is a history buff.

Velma still has her weaknesses. She often loses her glasses -- without them she's blinder than a sound deaf bat.

Mission Statement

THE ISSUE

Lately there has been a lot of focus on the lack of women in certain scientific fields -- including engineering and computer science. Personally, I don't consider myself to be a feminist. However, I did notice, while growing up, that there were certain things that were off limits. Certainly, even today, women seem more inclined to behaviors and careers which are more socially acceptable.

GROWING UP

I was of an offbeat and intelligent kid. I was always reading. My dad is an English major and always had books around. My father also went through a huge movie phase. He managed to collect about 3,000 movies and television shows within a 5 year period. By the time I was 10, I was reading comics in mass quantities. At 13, we got access to the internet -- a then new and exciting technology.

As a child in the 1980's, I had very few role models. My own mother never learned to drive and dropped out of college. I was constantly being told to limit myself to feminine pursuits by the women in my family. My grandmother told me to become a secretary or a teacher. My mother always told me to marry a rich man and stay pretty. I'll never forget the student teacher that punished me for reading beyond the class level in the first grade. I refused to read again until the third grade. Certainly, intelligence was punished and penalized in my home and school life.

FRUSTRATION

I usually associated more with intelligent men in fiction. The women were usually portrayed as malleable, whiny, and/or vapid. Who wants to be pigeonholed into such a role? I went through a phase where I denied being female. Even today, I get frustrated by the lack of intelligent, strong, or otherwise admirable female role models in popular culture. There are a few shining contradictions to this observation and for that I am sincerely grateful.

BE THE SOLUTION

Throughout the years, I've learned to see myself as my own primary role model. The things I respect are poise, grace, intelligence, maturity, and self acceptance. So much of this was learning that being intelligent, strong, and feminine are not contradictions. Along the way, I have been fortunate to find a few female role models. They have helped shape me into the woman I am today.

This blog will focus on positive fictional female role models. I will discuss different female characters in an attempt to promote positive ideals for intelligent and capable women.