Since we are both women, we have made a lot of women as our role models. We have noticed that in a lot of the present television series that for the first time in broadcast history this is the case. So we are proud to present some of our favorite strong women on television , now and then
One of my early idols was Mary Richards. Truly a pioneer , she was the only woman in the WJM newsroom. Daily she had to battle a chauvinistic boss and an egotistical star.
Shirley Partridge lost her husband and had to deal with five kids. What does this strong woman do? She packs up her five kids and their dog and sends them off to be pop stars . Shirley not only dealt with the trials of show biz but the antics of her middle son, Danny
Rhoda Morgenstern was strong because she made her own style. Her colorful bandannas gave her an artsy edge. As Mary’s “chubby” friend, she blossomed into a beautiful woman who found love. When that didn’t work out, she carried on. We marvel at actress’ Valerie Harper’s bravery in her battle with brain cancer.
One of the strongest females on television was Maj Margaret Houlighan of M*A*S*H* . The Army is truly a man’s world and Margaret started out as a joke with her bullying and attraction to Frank. In time, Margaret would gain her fellow officers’ respect.
Hard core journalist Murphy Brown didn’t take crap from anyone. She won the war with alcoholism and tackled controversial issues for her show , FYI. She battled Dan Quayle and other conservatives , but she was most known for being a single mother to her son, Avery. She was one of the first female characters who chose to raise their child alone. Future mothers like Miranda and Rachel would take their cues from her.
Maddie Hayes had beauty and brains, well until her accountant ran off with her money. But she had a plan. She would sell all of her tax shelters to live in her accustomed style. She could have sold the Blue Moon Detective Agency, but didn’t. She ran it with her partner, David Addison. She put up with all his juvenile , sexist comments and that does take a strong woman. Oh I forgot, she ended up falling in love with him.
Cold and calculating was Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter of Dynasty. She didn’t get mad, she got even!!
You can’t get a stronger woman than this one. As matriarch of the Ewing clan, her job was to keep the peace and protect her family. This isn’t easy, especially when you have a son like JR.
If a woman could kill with words, Julia would have been arrested for murder. Lovingly called “The Terminator” , she would get on her soap box and make her enemies look like fools.
Jen’s heroine is Courteney Cox. She has played so many great characters. On “Family Ties” , she battled a chauvinistic Alex Keaton. On “Friends” ,she overcame being a fat teen to bloom into a sexy woman who finally got everything she wanted. Here is her strongest character, Lucy Spiller on “Dirt” Lucy would do anything to get the story.
From her teen years, Carrie Bradshaw knew she wanted to be a writer. Little did she known then that her struggles as a single woman would be her fortune. Carrie struggled to be fabulous and struggled to find that perfect man. She did that with the help of her “girls” , three fierce women themselves.
Dr Kerry Weaver ran the ER with an iron fist. But she also spent her time wondering if she would ever find love. She finally came to the realization that she loved women and that empowered her. This also made her a little more vulnerable.
Amanda of “Melrose Place” was the ultimate strong female of the early nineties. She used people, got her own way, and generally wielded enough power to run her successful advertising agency.
Buffy was the ultimate female. She not only kicked vampires asses but she maintained her gorgeous looks and friendships in high school.
Alicia is a “stand by your man” kind of woman. With a husband who admitted to cheating on her, she didn’t let that stop her. She became one of the most powerful lawyers at her firm. Now she stands by him again as he faces an unworthy opponent in his bid as Governor.
Meet the power ladies of Grey’s. Don’t be surprised by this scene because these are two bad ass surgeons who have been through hell. Through it all, Meredith and Christina have remained strong.
She’s a tough woman with a heart of gold. Detective Kate Beckett of “Castle” has hurt for years. She doesn’t t have to anymore because of her writer, Rick
Liz Lemon has the power and makes the funny. She better have a good job with all the idiots she has to deal with daily at 30 Rock
You can’t get more powerful than working in the Oval Office , C J Cregg of “The West Wing”
Jordan McDeere was the power behind the network on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”
They may be pretty , but don’t mess with these country girls. It’s Rayna and Juliette of “Nashville.”
It’s a man’s world for Shay and Dawson as paramedics on the NBC hit, “Chicago Fire.”
Sue Sylvester is all about empowerment on “Glee” She considers herself a role model to her Cheerios. Too bad she hates the Glee club
These are two strong women from the sixties. Peggy has used her talent to rise in the advertising world and so has Joan of “Mad Men”
Emmy award winning Edie Falco has made a career of playing strong women. First as Carmela Soprano and now on Showtime’s hit “Nurse Jackie” Jackie has overcome a divorce and her addiction and remained strong
Kono keeps the peace on the island on “Hawaii Five O”
Jane Binghum always fights for the underdog on “Drop Dead Diva”
This is a true female role model. She was a weak woman whose husband cheated on her, had affairs, and drank. Today , she is a competent and powerful woman. It’s one of my idols Sue Ellen Ewing , still beautiful then and now, Linda Gray
This woman has come into her own and thrives on power. She is Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing .
Sharon Raydor of “Major Crimes” runs an elite crime investigative team
Finally we come to the lady of power herself, Olivia Pope. She left the White House to start her own legal task force. Weekly, she fights between her head and her heart on “Scandal.”
