On Christmas Day last year, Fox released the movie “Hidden Figures,” which is about three African-American women who made a difference in the efforts of the United States to go into space. These three women worked behind the scenes in an era where “coloreds” still had to use separate bathrooms and water fountains. They didn’t let discrimination slow their path. If you haven’t seen this empowering movie, make plans to get there. Take your daughters, nieces and granddaughters to let them see that math and science make a difference. Take your sons and nephews to show them what can be done to change a system that is wrong.
Movies With Empowering Female Roles
Let’s take a look at some movies for budding feminists:
- “9 to 5” – this 1980 movie was one of the first to demonstrate how women were really treated in the office. It’s a fun movie about friendship and sticking together to change the climate, although a bit unrealistic. Make sure to tell the watchers to overlook the women smoking a joint.
- “Erin Brockovich” – Erin came to the big screen in 2000 as a mom who takes on an electric company while still carting her kids around. She’s hated by men and women alike, showing that misogyny isn’t limited to one gender. And the best thing? The movie is based on a real person who is still taking action against the wrongs in the world.
- “The Color Purple” – this 1985 film follows the life of an African-American woman who is trying to free herself from the abuse in her life. It was critically acclaimed and well received by audiences, even though the themes in the movie are quite dark.
- “Clueless” – at first glance, this 1995 comedy is about boys and fashion, but watch it to find a young girl who comes of age and has to decide whether she wants to be herself and what’s really important in her life.
- “Legally Blonde” – in 2001, Reese Witherspoon took on the character of Elle Woods, who goes to law school to prove to the “love of her life” that she’s worthy of him. She realizes that there’s more to life than boys, fashion and makeup when she discovers social justice. It’s a feel-good movie that will make you laugh as well as think about empowering women.
- “Mulan” – Disney made a kickass princess in this 1998 animated feature that follows a young girl who impersonates a man to join the battle against the Huns. She’s a different kind of heroine in the list of princesses, and she surpasses the legends of Cinderella, Snow White and Belle.
- “Bend It Like Beckham” – There are plenty of sports movies that portray girls in a positive role, but this 2002 comedy focuses on soccer (football) and friendships.
- “Suffragette” – A newer film that just came out in 2015 about voting rights for women. Every girl and boy should understand how women fought to have the right to elect our leaders.
- “A League of Their Own” – a 1992 award-winning film that focuses on the women in WWII that made a difference for their country right here in the continental United States. Tom Hanks might have gotten top billing, but it’s the women who tell the story.
Give the women and girls in your life role models that show them they can be more than they ever imagined. Watch a movie and feel yourself empowered to take on your own mountains.