Feminism has become quite a hot topic these past few years. And yes, we know that’s a little ironic coming from a feminist media platform, but the constant use of and misuse of the word “Feminism” has made it difficult for some people to get behind it. Well, for those people, we’d like to say, you are in the right place to start your feminist journey. This article rounds up 9 feminist icons from shows through the ages to show you both the lack of and need for these characters. But more so, to help you learn about feminism through many different perspectives. We are also here to show that “feminism” is not just a battle for women; men as well as the genderqueer community are a huge part of it. It is the fight for equality that has become faded over time.

While 2019 and 2020 can be seen as the years of feminist TV, it is important to celebrate the shows that did it before it was common. But, since we love talking about shows, we have also mentioned feminist icons from new shows, all of which you can watch right now. Some of these you might have heard of and some not, one thing is for sure, you will fall in love with all these characters if you haven’t already. Oh, and ladies, you will also learn quite a bit about feminism on television, a win-win?

Note: All credits for the cover image go to the respective owners such as Syfy, IMDb, and Pinterest.

Here Are 9 Feminist Icons From Shows You Can Watch Right Now

Gilmore Girls

When we think about the late 90s and early 2000s it’s honestly quite the task to spot feminist characters, let alone feminist icons. These years were the “make jokes about gender” years. But, one show that constantly stood out was Gilmore Girls. Ladies, I am sure all of us have watched this show at some point, some of us have probably watched the entire show more times than we can count. But every time we play this show it leaves us feeling happy and honestly, quite powerful. Yes, the show did make many mistakes, but there are many things Amy Sherman did right. Be it for the uniquely written characters or the high-quality dialogue, Gilmore Girls is ICONIC. So, let’s see these feminists.

1. Paris Geller

Let’s talk about the most controversial female character on the show, Paris Geller. Yup, people either love her or hate her. But whatever you may feel, the truth is Paris was the QUEEN of feminism of that era. She was inspiring, never saw herself as less than men, and constantly voiced her opinions. Yes, she had her issues, but for the early 2000s, we can try focusing on all the good she brought to the show and how many young women she inspired. Paris believed in her power through education, knew she didn’t need to be a caretaker and was always one step ahead of the curve. As for Liza Weil, she continues to play empowering characters on TV, showing that women are epic. Here is our favorite Paris Geller dialogue.

2. Richard Gilmore

Next on the list is everyone’s favorite, Richard Gilmore. Yup, the subtle feminist. Mr. Gilmore was one of the first “father figures” on television to ALWAYS support the women in his family. He also made sure he judged them as little as possible. Sure, there were times he could have been better, like that whole time he was away from Emily (We still don’t get why that storyline was a thing). But, overall, he never failed to tell his daughter and granddaughter that they had so much potential, and were meant for grand things. Richard always supported their decisions; it took him a little time to understand them, but he made sure they knew that he had their back.  We don’t know about you, but we think that Richard was definitely a feminist icon, played by the unforgettable Peter Herman.  

Billions

Billions is a more recent show, thus progressive characters are expected. However, the reason feminism is so important in this particular show is because it’s a financial drama. As we all well know, women still struggle to get their foot through the door in finance. What makes Billions fabulous is their representation of the reality of finance mixed with a hint of what the present and future should look like. As one of the first shows to introduce a non-binary main character, Billions takes the lead on diversification on TV right now. While there are many characters that stand out in this show, like Wendy, we want to give light to the other feminist icons on Billions, despite their lack of screen time.

3. Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner

We are yet to meet someone who dislikes Wags; he is just such an entertaining character. Wags is not afraid of anything, and definitely not of being a feminist. His character throughout the show highlights that he always sees his employees as equal. Moreover, he knows that some things are best handled by women and that showing emotions and asking for help is masculine. Plus, he isn’t even embarrassed by being dressed as a woman for a day; actually he rocks the dress and wig in one of the episodes. Wags is also showcased as someone who continuously dates younger women and even hires sex workers multiple times; yet unlike in a lot of other shows, he respects these women and treats them just as he would his coworkers. The portrayal of David Costabile is not only memorable, it’s artistry in human form.

4. Kate Sacker

We are so happy to see Queen Condola Rashad finally get the screen time she deserves. Truly, no one could do what she does in this show. Sacker is a woman who does not take no for an answer and she consistently challenges the men in her life, personally and professionally. Moreover, her character showcases how much women can achieve if they are provided with education and support. The portrayal of strong, leading, badass women of color is essential in mainstream television. So, we are happy to see Billions work harder towards their representation. If you want to be inspired by a feminist icon who will make you want to be on your A-game, Sacker is it.

The Magicians

If there is a show that takes the crown for feminist fantasy, The Magicians is it. This show is full of feminist (and queer) icons, so much so that some of the character’s dialogues are so relatable they’ll make you cry. The Magicians cast and writers were also very vocal about feminism when the show was on air, on a personal level. They thoroughly used their influence on and off screen to educate their audience and help the feel heard. This show knew how to seamlessly integrate topics like feminism into their storyline. You can decide if you want to binge it by reading this review. Be warned, ladies, it will make you feel many emotions.

5. Margo Hanson (The Ultimate Feminist Icon)

Let’s talk about Margo, one of the core four on the show. The best part about her character is that she is not afraid to mention the gender inconsistencies and privileges that exist in the world. Her role showcases how deeply she cares about equality for all creatures. Additionally, Margo is the epitome of “women supporting women” in all of television history. Summer Bishil‘s acting is truly out of the world. She shows Margo’s strength, women’s collective suffering, the importance of friendship, and the courage required for leadership so realistically. Truly, it will give you give you goosebumps. Here are a few more reasons to love her character.

6. Eliot Waugh

On the other hand, is our bisexual king, part of the core four, and Margo’s best friend Eliot. One reasons everyone who watches The Magicians loves it is because of how sexually fluid the characters are. Eliot is a feminist not only because he respects women, but because he recognizes the many privileges of being a man, and he is not afraid to challenge the patriarchy. He makes a lot of mistakes throughout the seasons, especially in regard to women, but always understands and fixes them. Remember, we are all allowed to grow into different individuals. Hale Appleman‘s portrayal of Eliot is extraordinary, so worth the watch honestly.

Also, quick note ladies he will most probably make you fall in love; you can be straight or queer, male, female, or non-binary, Eliot has all of our hearts.

Sex and The City

Sex and The City is one of our favorite shows and sometimes it scares us how much we can relate to single women in their 30s from around 20 years back. Obviously, when you watch the show now, you notice in what ways society has and has not changed for women. While all four of the main leads are unique, they are most definitely not all feminist icons. Nonetheless, Sex and The City teaches women many valuable lessons from standing up for themselves to not apologizing for wanting a career or a sex life. Overall, it did pretty well for a show made in the 90s. Here is our favorite feminist on the show.

7. Samantha Jones

A character who understands female sexuality and embraces it wholeheartedly. Samantha, understands that in a world where men take privilege of everything, women should not be afraid to exploit their own powers. Moreover, Samantha works extremely hard in her field, she is a business owner and shows how women have to work that much harder to be accepted professionally at the same level as men. A part of the show that truly ends up defining Samantha’s character and feminism is when she finds out she has cancer and has to give a speech. She speaks about the societal expectations women have to adhere to and says “f*** it” to it all. Kim Cattrall really gave us one of the most moving scenes on the show, playing an iconic role in TV history.

The OC

The early 2000s saw a major drop in feminism and feminist characters, and soap operas like The OC are proof. The show in itself is incredibly problematic, which even the lead actress Mischa Barton testifies to as she has spoken of the crazy beauty standards it instilled. Yet, it has kept its title as one of the must-watch teenage shows, so it’s essential to point out the one character, who is quite the feminist icon, that makes it worth the binge.

8. Sandy Cohen

The dad to two of the main characters, one being an adopted convict, and one of the most memorable feminist icons in the early 2000s. Sandy is probably the only feminist on The OC. He is not the breadwinner of the family, his wife is, but he never feels degraded because of this. Moreover, he supports his wife thoroughly when she struggles through alcoholism in the last season. He also understands that men cannot try to “fix” other women’s problems and that sometimes they should just stay out of it. But, the best part of his character is his lack of judgment towards women (and men), whether it be one with an illegitimate child or someone who made a porn film in the past. He is willing to help all without limiting himself to gender boundaries. Peter Gallagher sure made an impression that lasts a lifetime.

The Simpsons

We all love the 90’s animated sitcom The Simpsons. While most of us have watched this show and laughed away with our family and friends, what is truly iconic about this show is the underlying powerful feminism. You may love the show for its comedic content, quirky characters or even its funny story lines, but ladies for so many of us the love originates from a relatable and feminist character. Can you guess who that is?

9. Lisa Simpson

Yup, you guessed right. A character everyone turned towards, a young feminist who constantly empowers women. Lisa not only spoke out against sexist stereotypes, but she also set her eyes on “male-dominated” careers and even became president. Lisa is the feminist icon. She is the reason many young women learned about and fell in love with feminism. In one of our all-time favorite episodes, she confronts the deep-rooted sexism within society and Malibu Stacey, her toy doll. Whilst the doll was only able to say things such as “I wish they taught shopping in school” and “let’s bake cookies for the boys”, Lisa stood up for her rights as she fought against these shallow stereotypes about women. So ladies, the next time you’re watching The Simpsons, remember to keep an eye out for our fierce queen Lisa. Here’s a quote you will love.

Overall, there are many badass women on television, and even a couple of great feminists; yet it is still hard to find as many strong feminist characters as we would all like to see. Hopefully, this post has given you a place to kickstart your adventure into the world of feminism and gives you a nice little list of shows to binge over the summer.

Think we missed a character? Let us know on social media by tagging us in posts about your favorite feminist icons.

XoXo TheQueen