Mulan's story proves to timeless in how many different works there are about her. Photo: Handout
Role models turn up, at times, in the most unlikely forms. But, they do often come at just the right time.
Occasionally, they exist in a fictional world – in books, on television and in the movies. And really, why not? As long as they inspire you.
Someone as exemplary as Michelle Obama has said that she was inspired by the go-getter character she saw in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
In an interview with Variety, the former First Lady of the United States said that Moore’s character, Mary Richards, was one of the few single working women depicted on television when she was growing up. And this taught the then 10-year-old Obama an important lesson.
“She wasn’t married. She wasn’t looking to get married. At no point did the series end in a happy ending with her finding a husband – which seemed to be the course you had to take as a woman. But she sort of bucked that,” said Obama.
“She worked in a newsroom, she had a tough boss, and she stood up to him. She had close friends, never bemoaning the fact that she was single. She was very proud and comfortable in that role.
“I was probably 10 or 11 when I saw that, and sort of started thinking, ‘You know what? Marriage is an option. Having a family is an option. And going to school and getting your education and building your career is another really viable option that can lead to happiness and fulfilment’.”
Fortunately, many other great female characters have popped up in the footsteps of Mary Richards on TV and in films. We list five of them.
Ellen Ripley is the only survivor of the cargo ship Nostromo that encountered a parasite alien species on a planet. When she is found 57 years later, asleep in the ship’s hibernation chamber, her claim about this dangerous species is dismissed by men in suits.
Worse, they get her to go back to the same planet where she has to face the horrors of her past all over again. Well, the company (and the queen alien) picked the wrong woman to dance with.
Ripley is a survivor. And she always, always, steps up to do the right thing even if it poses a danger to her – like when she needed to protect Newt, a little girl, with whom she made a maternal connection with.
While parents try to assure their children that there are no monsters under the bed, we all know all to well that there are monsters in the real world.
Not necessarily like the ones depicted in this franchise or other horror films, but there are monsters lurking around dark corners. Most times, targeting women. And when women do get attacked, it is that much easier for everyone to turn victims into liars.
But here’s something all women have in common – the so-called “weaker sex” may not be physically as strong, but mentally and emotionally, women have proven to be beyond compare.
It’s not easy, but many women have no choice but to put their traumatic experiences aside, just so they can go on living. As proven by the #MeToo movement, women go through terrible injustices in their lives and many can’t do anything about it. And sometimes, they do find solidarity and justice.
Fa Mulan decides to wear man’s clothing and fight in the army in the place of her ailing father. She ends up saving the whole nation with her bravery and intelligence.
But not before her warning about what’s going on goes unheeded by her superiors at first.
Here’s a character whose voice is drowned out and whose existence is ignored just because of her gender.
It’s something many women in the workforce can relate to and in some instances have to contend with their entire life.
But just as Mulan defies the path that’s set for her, everyone should perhaps write their own fate instead of leaving it up to, erm, fate.
Find your voice, make your mark.
The Snow Queen is depicted as a meanie in fairy tales, just because of her ability to turn anything into ice or snow.
But, in the Disney animated movie Frozen, Princess Elsa comes to realise that her unique ability, which she was made to keep a secret since she was young, is her very strength and what defines her.
Many of us are told to just be like others, to be "normal", when growing up.
Thankfully, as adults, many of us come to recognise that what makes us special are the very things that set us apart from others.
In other words, embrace those differences because fitting in is so yesterday.
Here’s a woman who isn’t afraid to be herself – no matter how kooky she is perceived to be by others – and she proves to be an awesome leader.
Liz Lemon (pic, left) is a 30-something head writer of a comedy series that runs into some sort of trouble or other on a weekly basis.
Despite the many messy aspects of her job, Liz is always open about what she wants from life and doesn’t put others down just to feel better about herself.
In other words, she may have some immature obsessions, but she is very mature when it comes to important things like relationships, working hard and, having a sense of humour when things just don’t go her way.
Her ability to bounce back from whatever life throws at her (including dealing with unpredictable stars like Tracy Jordan and Jenna) is something we can all try to work towards.
Let’s go one step further and look at comedian-actress-writer-producer Tina Fey, who created and played Liz Lemon in 30 Rock.
Just like Liz, Fey believes in herself and the products that she puts out. Why? For one, she has a positive attitude and she works hard. Also, she embraces her mistakes and learns from them.
Fey once tweeted: “There are no mistakes only opportunities.”
So, let’s not dwell on the failures and the setbacks in our lives. Instead, reflect on what went wrong, take note of these mistakes and then move on. What’s done is done.
Clark Kent may be Superman, but it is the smart, sassy and brilliant Lois Lane who is the real hero.
Although she doesn’t have super powers, nor can she fly, but she can take down the bad guys with her words and her personality.
In her pursuit for truth and justice, the gutsy reporter defies authority and rushes headfast into danger.
Author Gwenda Bond, who wrote the book Lois Lane: Fallout, shared in a publication what she admires about Lois Lane.
“She’s a character who speaks to all of us, just plain human girls and women. A character who tells us we can do or be anything, that we can have it all, no matter how hard the world tries to get in our way.”
So, let’s follow in the footsteps of Lois Lane and give our 100% to being who we want to be, and let’s not give in to the negative voices in our heads anymore.
Amy Adams plays the feisty journalist Lois Lane in 'Man of Steel'. Photo: Handout
