5 Ways for a Woman in Media to be Legendary

As women all we’re asking for is a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t. Oh, and positive women role models on our television and movie screens. Whether we are dealing with agesim, sexism or any of the other -isms, the mountain for women in television and film to climb remains steep, as highlighted by the recent 2014 annual report from the Women’s Media Center and San Diego State University’s Study of Women in Television and Film. But fear not, here are some simple ways to bring strong representations of women to media, and how they can even be considered legendary.

1. Be Realistic

Even Liz Lemon knows the power of a “Sandwich Day.”

We don’t expect the women we see in film and television to be perfect, far from it. We want characters we can relate to, even when we’re enjoying a good-ugly cry or consuming a pint of ice cream. Academy-Awarding winning actress and activist Geena Davis spoke eloquently of this issue when she said “[women] should be role models because they are messing up like anybody else would.” Despite our best efforts, sometimes as women we are clumsy messes, and that’s what we want to see.

2. Let a Woman Take Center Stage

Olivia Pope getting ready to deliver one of her legendary monologues.

As recently reported in the Women’s Media Center 2014 annual report, “women only get 30.8 percent of the roles requiring a character to speak.” Though we are fortunate to have strong female leads, like Shonda Rhime’s masterful creation Olivia Pope, she is unfortunately the exception and not the rule. By giving male leads more time on screen to speak, we are sending a subliminal message to viewers that male voices matter more.

3. Sex May Sell, but We Don’t Have to Buy

Daenerys Targaryen proves there is a balance that can be found between sexuality and power.

Unfortunately, the old adage that “sex sells” still seems to be the kool-aid being drunk by writers in Hollywood. Along with having fewer lines than their male costars, the Women’s Media Center found that “28.8 percent of women in film wore sexually revealing clothing.” In comparison, men only accounted for seven percent. Women don’t have to be wrapped in blankets to deliver their monologues, but by turning our gaze to their voices, instead of their bodies, we are giving women true representation and autonomy.

4. Women Can be Heroes, Too.

Dr. Joan Watson plays an important role in “Elementary,” but ultimately she is still considered a sidekick.

Women’s lack of representation in media can largely be traced back to the reality that overall women are given significantly less screen-time than men. As reported by San Diego State University’s Study of Women in Television and Film, “females comprised only 29 percent of major characters in television and film.” The study defined major characters as “characters that tend to appear in more than one scene and are instrumental to the action of the story.” Maybe our solution to finding more strong women role models lies in the basic truth that women are not even given enough screen time.

5. ALL Women Can be Legendary

HBO’s hit series Orange is the New Black has been praised by critics for its representations sexuality and race.

To view women in television as role models we have to be able to see ourselves in their characters. This means seeing women of all sizes, races and sexual orientations. As reported by the San Diego State University’s Study of Women in Television and Film, the percentage of Black and Latina characters actually declined in 2014 (11 percent were Black, 4 percent were Latina, 3 percent were Asian and 4 percent were considered “other”). In order to have true representations of women in media we cannot focus on only one type of woman. By adding diversity to our female characters we not only add complexity, but we also add truth.

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