This article was originally published in the Academia print issue of The Daily Utah Chronicle, originally in stands in October of 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
Filmmakers often portray women in film and television using harmful stereotypes. Whether it is the overly emotional girl, such as Michelle Rubin from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” or the ditsy blonde, like Karen Smith in “Mean Girls,” female stereotypes are not just offensive but harmful. It is damaging for young girls to see themselves on the screen in these limited and false portrayals. Women are capable of much more than the media portrays them to be. It is the onscreen, strong female role model that is helping to put an end to this stereotype.
The recent influx of independent women on screen, such as Rory Gilmore, Hermione Granger, Jo March and many others, is vital to defeating negative stereotypes of women. Gilmore, Granger and March are academic heroines. They repeatedly show dedication to their education and expanding their knowledge. Their studies and careers are important to them, inspiring females everywhere. They are fighting against those who believe women are only full of emotion or just a pretty face; they are independent and brave, capable of so much. Having onscreen women who powerfully show the true duality of a woman is pivotal in creating change against stereotypes seen worldwide.
Influential Academic Heroines On Screen
‘Tis the season to watch, or re-watch, the hit series “Gilmore Girls.” It’s an autumn comfort show. The show follows a mother and daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, as they go through life in their small town, Stars Hollow. Rory attends Chilton, a top-tier high school accepting only the best young minds.
“Who cares if I’m pretty if I fail my finals?” said the youngest Gilmore after being told she needs to stop studying and get some rest because sleep makes her pretty, according to her mother. Rory balances school, friends and family while maintaining her perfect GPA — making her an absolute academic icon.
As Rory returns to school at Chilton, Hermione Granger, from the book and film series “Harry Potter,” takes the train to Hogwarts for another year of witchcraft and wizardry. Good grades and rule-following are top priorities for Granger. Her excellent work ethic makes her well-respected by professors at Hogwarts. Throughout the series, Granger constantly embodies courage and strength, inspiring women to be brave and intelligent. In addition to her academic success, Granger cares for her friends and peers, ensuring they are always taken care of. Seeing the balance of school and social life is crucial for female viewers.
Rory and Granger are ambitious, a trait shared with Jo March in the novel “Little Women,” which has multiple film adaptations. A determined writer, March puts her career above marriage and a family, rejecting the standard society has set for women.
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for,” March said, fed up with unfair standards.
March is dedicated to her academics and career. She ensures they are above what people typically expect of women. The slight improvements in the expectation that women must marry and start a family are groundbreaking, but there is still a long way to go. March is a stepping stone in flipping the page and allowing women to take the steps they want.
Empowering Change Through Female Role Models
Without change, there is no growth. Stereotypes impact how the world views one another. Stereotypes put on women, such as “weak” and “dumb,” directly affect how women are perceived in real life as well as in movies and television. One way to defeat the stereotype is by changing the lens in which filmmakers portray women on screen. Women are more than just housewives and caretakers; they are intelligent and hardworking. Characters like Rory Gilmore, Hermione Granger, Jo March and many more are necessary for creating change and promoting empowerment and progress.
All females must have strong heroines to look up to. The need for strong and intelligent women on screen is urgent; it’s crucial. These characters are not just inspiring; they are essential in opening the limitations typically seen on screen, making the audience notice the issue’s importance and understand that they are capable of much more than they believe.
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