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11 Power Women to Get Us Through These Dark Times

These badass ladies are on your TV—and here to save the day.

By Dana Froome

Nov 17, 2016

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Last week was rough for many of us and it's understandable that we all need some time to refocus/zone out/get some "me time" in. Thankfully we can turn to these female TV characters who show us that women are a force to be reckoned with.

<p>Alex Parrish is a confident FBI trainee who isn't afraid of a challenge and can handle anything that comes here way. Consider this: She was falsely accused and framed for being a terrorist, survived a nationwide manhunt, cleared her name, and is now tasked to save the country again from a terrorist organization. If that's not reason enough to give you hope that you can survive anything that comes your way, then I don't know what will. </p>

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Alex Parrish in 'Quantico'

Alex Parrish is a confident FBI trainee who isn't afraid of a challenge and can handle anything that comes here way. Consider this: She was falsely accused and framed for being a terrorist, survived a nationwide manhunt, cleared her name, and is now tasked to save the country again from a terrorist organization. If that's not reason enough to give you hope that you can survive anything that comes your way, then I don't know what will.

<p>Cookie Lyon is one of the most compelling characters on TV. I mean she's determined, smart, and unapologetically herself. She puts her family first and she's not going to let anything to stop her from getting what she wants. Nothing.</p>

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Cookie Lyon in 'Empire'

Cookie Lyon is one of the most compelling characters on TV. I mean she's determined, smart, and unapologetically herself. She puts her family first and she's not going to let anything to stop her from getting what she wants. Nothing.

Claire Underwood and Frank Underwood on House of Cards

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Claire Underwood in 'House of Cards'

Claire Underwood is a force to be reckoned with and is the perfect example of a woman who knows how to get ish done effectively. She's terrifyingly refreshing and doesn't allow herself to get caught in the midst of emotions. She's not ashamed of her decisions and encourages us to be the same way.

<p><span>Arya Stark might be tiny and young, but to underestimate her would be a
huge mistake on your part. (What's that Shakespeare quote again? <em data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="em">Though she be but little, she is fierce.</em>) She will use that to her advantage and will always
prove everyone wrong. She's mentally strong and has a firm understanding of who
she is and the crap that she's not willing to take. Yes, girl, yes.</span></p>

Arya Stark in 'Game of Thrones'

Arya Stark might be tiny and young, but to underestimate her would be a huge mistake on your part. (What's that Shakespeare quote again? Though she be but little, she is fierce.) She will use that to her advantage and will always prove everyone wrong. She's mentally strong and has a firm understanding of who she is and the crap that she's not willing to take. Yes, girl, yes.

<p>Olivia Benson is fiercely independent and will do things her way, which has made her very self-sufficient. Numerous times throughout the show she has voiced that she is a rape survivor and it's because of her compassion and understanding for those attacked that they're able to open up to her. She empowers survivors, and encourages them to take control of their situations. </p>

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Olivia Benson in 'Law & Order: SVU'

Olivia Benson is fiercely independent and will do things her way, which has made her very self-sufficient. Numerous times throughout the show she has voiced that she is a rape survivor and it's because of her compassion and understanding for those attacked that they're able to open up to her. She empowers survivors, and encourages them to take control of their situations.

<p>Kara Danvers is pro-woman and she's not here for anyone's misogyny. She understands that her role as a female superhero is not to be minimized and doesn't need to be reassured about her power. Although she relies on others to help her in her time of need, she plays by her rules only.</p>

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Kara Danvers in 'Supergirl'

Kara Danvers is pro-woman and she's not here for anyone's misogyny. She understands that her role as a female superhero is not to be minimized and doesn't need to be reassured about her power. Although she relies on others to help her in her time of need, she plays by her rules only.

<p>Meredith Grey has experienced so much tragedy and setbacks in her life, but it doesn't let her deter her work as an accomplished surgeon. She proves that women are just as capable at being a great doctor and being a top dog in a male-dominated field.</p>

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Meredith Grey in 'Grey's Anatomy'

Meredith Grey has experienced so much tragedy and setbacks in her life, but it doesn't let her deter her work as an accomplished surgeon. She proves that women are just as capable at being a great doctor and being a top dog in a male-dominated field.

<p> I truly respect Mellie Grant. After all the nonsense that she had to put up with from Fitz after she sacrificed so much of herself to make him shine (sorry Fitz fans), she wasn't about to roll over and give up. She took control of her career beyond First Lady and has proven that she's a major force when she filibustered for hours to support Planned Parenthood and is now running as a nominee for President of the United States. </p>

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Mellie Grant in 'Scandal'

I truly respect Mellie Grant. After all the nonsense that she had to put up with from Fitz after she sacrificed so much of herself to make him shine (sorry Fitz fans), she wasn't about to roll over and give up. She took control of her career beyond First Lady and has proven that she's a major force when she filibustered for hours to support Planned Parenthood and is now running as a nominee for President of the United States.

<p>Olivia Pope is a transformative character who has become a cultural icon and is admired by many fans for her leadership and her ability to take control in any situation. Although women have been making strides in management roles, there's still more work to be done and Olivia Pope without a doubt inspires us to not let anything knock us down. </p>

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Olivia Pope in 'Scandal'

Olivia Pope is a transformative character who has become a cultural icon and is admired by many fans for her leadership and her ability to take control in any situation. Although women have been making strides in management roles, there's still more work to be done and Olivia Pope without a doubt inspires us to not let anything knock us down.

<p>Annalise Keating is the definition of badass. She's an accomplished black female lawyer and professor who doesn't accept failure. She will fight for what she believes in and isn't afraid to call you out on your bull. She knows that she's the best at what she does and she'll never let anything stand in her way. </p>

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Annalise Keating in 'How To Get Away With Murder'

Annalise Keating is the definition of badass. She's an accomplished black female lawyer and professor who doesn't accept failure. She will fight for what she believes in and isn't afraid to call you out on your bull. She knows that she's the best at what she does and she'll never let anything stand in her way.

<p> Despite being abused time after time and the disintegration of her marriage, Daenerys Targaryen always comes out strong and becomes a Messiah figure of sorts as the Mother of Dragons. She learned to take control of her life and always fights for what she believes is right.</p>

Daenerys Targaryen in 'Game of Thrones'

Despite being abused time after time and the disintegration of her marriage, Daenerys Targaryen always comes out strong and becomes a Messiah figure of sorts as the Mother of Dragons. She learned to take control of her life and always fights for what she believes is right.

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