Role Models for Girls

If I’m honest, I really wanted to lengthen the title of this post to ‘Role Models for Girls Who Actually Deserve to Be Role Models’, because many of the famous women who are looked up to by girls nowadays don’t set the best examples.

It genuinely scares me when I hear teenagers and young women say “I just love her” or “she’s perfect” while watching the Kardashians or Beyonce’s new music video, when Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus are flouncing around stages in next to nothing singing heavily suggestive lyrics, or Rihanna posts a new photo on Instagram from last night’s drink/drug-filled parties. I hate to think that girls are growing up influenced by women who get botox and ridiculous plastic surgery, go on crazy diets, or have hardly any talent.

Why aren’t our female youth inspired by intelligent women who are natural and down-to-earth?

So without further ado, here are my top ten role models for girls who actually deserve to be role models:

10. Carrie Hope Fletcher

For those who don’t know, Carrie is a West End star currently appearing in ‘Les Miserables’ as Eponine for the second year running. She is also a YouTube vlogger, and it is her videos that thousands of young ‘Hopefuls’ are inspired by. She sings (incredibly well), makes us laugh, and gives advice for girls that actually means something.

9. Meryl Streep

There’s one word that sums her up completely: talent. Meryl Streep is, in my opinion, the best actress in Hollywood. She can do anything. And what’s more, she is the spokesperson for the National Women’s History Museum.

8. Emma Thompson

She is hilarious. Seriously, YouTube any interview with her, and you’ll be laughing your socks off within seconds. The reason for this is that she genuinely does not care what anyone thinks… I think all of us could benefit from even a slither of her spunkiness.

7. Mayim Bialik

As well as being known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in ‘The Big Bang Theory’, Bialik is incredibly clever. She has a B.S. degree, doctorate and PhD in Neuroscience, and has written books on parenting. Goes to show how multi-talented and successful a person can be.

6. JK Rowling

Famous, of course, for creating the world of Harry Potter, one of the most popular book series of all time. She wrote some brilliant female characters within it which have influenced fans of the story. Also, she lost her billionaire status purely due to donating so much of her earnings to charity.

5. Kate Winslet

One of my favourite actresses. Despite her huge success in Hollywood, she is still completely down-to-earth and has a very healthy attitude towards body image. She has hit out at several magazines over the years for photoshopping images of her and twisting her words on diets and exercise.

4. Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen is quite possibly one of the most generous celebrities around. On her show, she regularly donates to needy families in desperate need of financial help as well as promoting kindness as her sign-off. Also she wants us all to dance a lot J

3. Malala Yousafzai

Not a celebrity as such, but Yousafzai should without a doubt be more well known amongst young girls. She is an activist from Pakistan who spoke about living under Taliban occupation, promotes rights for education and women, and survived an assassination attempt. This was at the age of 15.

2. Emma Watson

It’s not really fair how she is so intelligent, talented and beautiful all at the same time. She has also managed to stay grounded despite being very much in the public eye from the age of 11. And then there’s her recent HeforShe speech at the UN… Just wow.

1. Jennifer Lawrence

In fairness, J-Law is often mentioned as someone who young women look up to, and for good reason. She is pretty much everything we want to be and more: talented, funny, stunning, and real.

Honourable mentions: Oprah Winfrey, Anne Frank, Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, Karen Gillan, Audrey Hepburn, Rebel Wilson, Jessica Ennis, Lisa Kudrow, and Dawn French.