Women Are F*cking Powerful!

"Each Time A Woman Stands Up For Herself, She Stands Up For All Women." - Maya Angelou

Today is International Women's Day! A day inspired to celebrate the many outstanding, revolutionary, and straight up badass accomplishments of women around the globe, all the while, acknowledging the progress that is still left to be made. There have been so many powerful voices, and incredible movements that have come together to speak out on women's rights over the years. And while there have been some truly inspirational moments, I'd like to take a second to acknowledge the many fictional women of literature that have helped bring out the powerful f*cking women within us.

I know I can't be the only one swooning over characters I've read. Both fictional, and non fictional; both male and female. I mean, what's better than a character that you love; one that you feel your heart falling in love with. There are so many strong, fascinating and incredibly empowering leading ladies in the literary world that are so easy to capture our hearts, and ultimately encompass us.

As a long time book-lover and avid reader, I can't tell you the number of times I've picked up a book and persisted through great writing, all the while to be disappointed by weak female stereotypes - cue either the helpless victim-in-waiting, or macho male protagonists "reward". Because of that, when I find a well-rounded read with a female badass and powerhouse; be it heroine or villainess, it's literally the greatest breath of fresh air! These women whom we've grown with through literary works of art are females we admire, we cherish, we believe in, we want to be, and when all is said and done...help mould us into who we are.

---

Here's a look at the top 20 badass heroines in literature that I can't stop crushing on!

*list is no particular order*

1. Josephine March Little Women - Louisa M. Alcott

At 15, she is strong-willed, confident, literary and, unlike her sisters, she is outspoken and uninterested in marriage. Jo both struggles with and defies society’s expectations of how women in the 19th century should carry themselves, making her one of literature’s most daring female characters.

2. Eliza Sommers Daughter of Fortune - Isabel Allende

Eliza finds herself engulfed in a strange new world of single men, painted ladies, and all the independence a girl could ever dream of. Taking charge in the rough and tumble world of the wild west is no simple task, but as she steps up to the plate and stands her ground she proves herself to be one of literatures most beloved badasses.

3. Hester Prynne The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

With a mind of her own and no time for the rules of the game, Hester lives outside of societies norms and on her own terms. Her community may shun her, love may elude her, and God may judge her, but Hester takes it all in stride, and with her everyday defiance, she stakes her claim as one bad mother f—

4. Offred The Handmaids Tale - Margaret Atwood

In a dystopic future where women are the property of men, reading is forbidden among the fairer sex, and an old-testament-inspired terrorist organization has taken over the government, one woman dares to dream of a better life, and that women is Offred. Under the thumb of a lecherous commander, in the throws of an illicit romance, and consumed by memories of the family she has lost, this handmaid still manages to set out a place for herself in history — and what could possibly be more hardcore than that?

5. Hermione Granger Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling

Mark my words... there will come a day when an alternate history of the Potterverse featuring Hermione Granger in the starring role hits the shelves. Until that day comes, let us all acknowledge here and now that Hermione, with her mastery of magic, her wits, and her willingness to do what must be done has already earned herself a reputation as one of literature's all-time greatest ass-kickers.

6. Lisbeth Salander The Millennium Trilogy - Steig Larsson

You may have seen the movies, you may have heard the stories, but until you've read Stieg Larson's magnificent trilogy, you've only just begun to understand how far Lisbeth will go. Righting wrongs, kicking ass, and taking names in the boldest, baddest, most brutal ways possible, Lisbeth is utterly unforgettable.

7. Elphaba Wicked - Gregory Maguire

She’s strong, she's opinionated, and she stands up for what she thinks is right. I always loved the idea that someone totally different and unique could not only succeed, but would be willing to turn her back on success for something she believed in. The confidence and strength that she struts are seriously something to be admired.

8. Daenerys Targaryen Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

Of all the characters in the Game of Thrones series —and there are plenty to choose from— no one is quite as fierce as feminist icon Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen! Dany is someone who knows that being a woman is not a limitation, and sure knows how to use her womanhood to her advantage. This mega-badass doesn't let men push her around, isn't afraid to say what she wants, and she pursues her dreams regardless how out of reach they may seem. Plus, let's not forget that she is the Mother of Dragons... if she isn't the epitome of female powerhouse, who possibly is?!

9. Jane Eyre Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is a lady who knows exactly how to tell her own story. This novel was revolutionary for its time due to the fact that it was told from the first-person perspective of a female narrator — and a pretty sassy one at that! Despite social convention, Jane is not about to do anything she's not into; especially marry for any reason other than love. Above all, Jane values freedom, independence, and taking care of herself on her own terms. Can't argue with that!

10. Claire Randall Fraser Outlander Series - Diana Gabaldon

Those who know me, know I'm slightly Outlander obsessed.. So it's no doubt that Claire made my list of top 20 badass b!tches. Claire is an empowered feminist and has no fear when it comes to standing up for what she believes in — even when stuck where the patriarchy doesn't take kindly to that behaviour. While Claire may lack a Brain-To-Mouth filter, it's also what makes her one powerful female. She is equal parts damsel in distress, action hero, lover, mother, and healer - and that to me, is the embodiment of every woman trying to balance life!

11. Holly Golightly Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote

Holly Golightly broke the mould for the reality of women in the 1960's by being a single, self-sufficient woman. She rejects the conventional ideals of her time and swaps them for nontraditional values that had not yet been so endearingly portrayed or widely embraced. She's free, liberated, independent and incredibly relatable on so many levels — I'd gladly spend the afternoon with the fun and fabulous Miss Golightly at Tiffany's anytime!

12. Chiyo Sakamoto/Sayuri Nitta Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Sayuri tells the story of how she went from a poor fisherman’s daughter named Chiyo Sakamoto to become Sayuri Nitta, one of Kyoto’s premier geisha. Her cleverness and adaptable personality allow her to survive a variety of challenging circumstances. She's an idealist and a romantic, and her steadfast determination ensures that she survives and succeeds in every single situation she encounters.

13. Elizabeth Bennett Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Of course this list wouldn't be complete without the utterly unparalleled Elizabeth Bennet. As the second daughter to the Bennet family, birth order psychology dictates that Lizzie would take a backseat to pretty much all her other sisters. But this lady flies in the face of psychology and is basically the ultimate example of literary heroine badassery to all women everywhere.

14. Katniss Everdeen The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen is one hell of a compelling character. She is a classic hero in a couple of ways — there's her journey arc, of course, but there's also that deep-seated resistance to authority. She gives in when it suits her — when she can see the tangible ways in which she could help save lives — but in true heroic fashion, she goes her own way the second she starts feeling too much the puppet. She has her moments of fragility — I mean, who wouldn't under the circumstances, but just because she may sometimes buckle under the pressure, doesn't make Kat any less of full fledged bonafide badass.

15. Sula Peace Sula - Toni Morrison

You gotta love all the books named after their heroines, am I right? Although Sula is somewhat of an antagonist, she just infuriates everyone in the very best ways: refusing to subscribe to traditional gender norms or conform to socially imposed morals that don't interest her, and leaving her hometown to make her own adventures in the world. Basically, this is a woman who knows exactly how she wants to live, and sure as hell won't let anything stop her from achieving absolute independence.

16. Athena The Odyssey - Homer

First of all, Athena is the goddess of just about anything that holds power: courage, inspiration, justice, war, art, strength... the list goes on. Second of all, there wouldn't even be an Odyssey if she hadn't banished Odysseus for letting his soldiers muck up her temple in the first place. Then, to top it off, basically nobody would have survived the trek if Athena hadn't been there to guide Odysseus out of trouble and disaster at every turn. Basically, this book should be called Athena. Dominance — BOOM — you're welcome, men.

17. Lady Anne The Last Hours - Minette Walters

After the Black Death arrives in 1348, widowed Lady Anne takes control of her husband’s people and land. In an act of mercy, she quarantines the castle by bringing the serfs inside the moat and sharing the remaining food. Lady Anne is such a refreshing character to read about in this time period. She is independent, quick thinking, and takes on the burdens of others selflessly. The Plague has got nothing on this fierce leading lady.

18. June Walker The Atomic City Girls - Janet Beard

June Walker is a young woman ready for a new career, so, she arrives in the secret "Atomic City" to help do her part during the war. But she begins to wonder what all the mysterious machines she’s in charge of operating are being used for. When she discovers their true purpose, she reevaluates all her ideals about loyalty, patriotism, and the war. Arriving as a quiet and naïve young girl, she soon becomes more aware of the atrocities of the war and begins to grow into her own skin and fight for what is right. June teaches us about pure heroism in the 20th century.

19. Ruby Henderson Benoit The Room on Rue Amélie - Kristin Harmel

Ruby went 0 to 100 real fast after the Nazi's invaded Paris. And that is when I really fell in love with her. Joining the French resistance put her in indisputable dangers during the Occupation, and proved to everyone just how far she was willing to go in order to help the allies take back her adopted city she'd fallen in love with. Her strength, courage, undeniable persistence, and her self-assertive attitude inarguably make her a serious force to be reckoned with. Step aside WWII bad guys, an unexpected Benoit has joined forces against you.

20. Beatriz Perez When We Left Cuba - Chanel Cleeton

We met Beatriz Perez in Chanel's first book, Next Year In Havana. And while the story didn't focus on Beatriz, we definitely got a glimpse into her badassery. Next month, Beatriz's story is dropping and it's undoubtedly going to prove just what a powerful leading lady she is. Getting recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle, Beatriz is about to step foot into the whirlwind that is espionage, and risk her life to help take back her country — all while in the middle of an illicit and forbidden love affair. Watch out April, you're about to be taken by storm by this fierce and unstoppable lady!

Who's your FAVOURITE badass female?

Cheers to these, and all the other literary heroines that have helped shape us from girls into fabulous, independent, powerful, badass women!

Happy International Women's Day!

“Extremists have shown what frightens them most: a girl with a book” – MalalaYousafzai