Women who kick ass 1. Buffy Summers

Thinking about feminism and women today has inspired me to start a series of blog posts on women who kick serious ass in their field, whether it be politics, music, science or anything else. The reason I want to write these posts is that I feel that young women, myself included, are inspired by successful women they see around them. It’s important to recognise the work women do, but also to show the next generation that their choices shouldn’t be limited by their sex.

However, having just written a blog post, and as a BTVS geek, I’m going to start it light.

Buffy Summers the feminist.
 She rejects established authority figures. Unlike the slayers before her she first partially accepts, and later totally rejects, the patriarchal hierarchy of the Watcher’s Council that exists to give her orders.
 She is not a lone hero. She needs the support of her friends (her surrogate family) and her biological family. She realises that strength does not necessarily mean fighting alone.
 She is intelligent, resourceful and brave, though of course not always.
 There is a debate as to whether Buffy is a feminist icon or not. Some point out that Sarah Michelle Gellar does conform rather closely to the stereotype of appropriate woman. She is skinny, blonde and beautiful. She also likes shoes. However, I disagree with this analysis. The essential values that feminists should hold are equality and diversity. Some feminists like shoes. Some feminists hate shoes. Rather than creating a new stereotype for women, serious and plain, feminists should aim to enable self-realisation for all women and men, free from stereotype.