Wanted: superwoman

When a colleague asks me who my superheroine from a movie, fairy tale or other story is, I have to think twice. The only character that comes to mind is Wonder Woman. Which doesn’t really tell me much.

Isn’t it a pity that in 2023 we can’t immediately name five characters who have left a cool and lasting impression on both women and men?

Now think for yourself and name five comic book heroines, movie queens or a fictional character from a fairy tale who does not lure children to her edible house in the woods and eat them afterwards.

I wait.

Okay Catwoman. Then there are ladies from the Marvel Universe. But what was it like before these blockbusters? Without DC Comics and company there would be even less choice. Also known are Supergirl and Batgirl. (But no one would call Batman Batboy. There’s no Iron Boy either.) Yes, in 2022 the series “She-Hulk” came out. It’s progressing. But like I said, without the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) things would look bleak even on the big screens and screens. Female superheroes are usually sidekicks and thus supporting actresses of their male co-stars.

From the comics we move to the video games. After all, there you will find what you are looking for in the form of the busty Lara Croft.

When I think back to my own childhood, “The Little Mermaid” was a hit. She agrees to unfavorable deals with the sea witch Ursula (bad guy), but at the age of nine I didn’t really care. The main thing was a beautiful undersea world, shell bikinis, catchy songs and a hearty love story were included in the ticket price.

Speaking of which, women don’t usually do very well in fairy tales. It is full of (sea) witches (wicked) or girls who set themselves on fire because they don’t know how to use matches (stupid).

female heroines. Admit it, you too have to think about finding a suitable role model.

Anyway, let’s move from fairytales to movies that aren’t based on comics. Thanks to Quentin Tarantino, we had two movies in the noughties where Uma Thurman and her samurai sword go on a vendetta. But wouldn’t she have needed therapy sooner? Is it okay if you are asked about your idols at a party and then answer “Kiddo” (name of Thurman’s role)? The guests then distance themselves with pretzel sticks in their hands and look for new interlocutors.

But enough moaning! After all, we are looking for female role models here, fictional ones too. Because women who have traditionally made a big impression, such as Rosa Parks, are fortunately available without much thought or googling. Everyone knows politically successful women like Angela Merkel. And how not to love Michelle Obama? Art gave us powerful women like Frida Kahlo or the singer Lizzo, who became synonymous with body positivity.

heroines. Role models. idols. It should be possible to fill movie theaters with bombastic brides who can save the planet in 180 minutes and flush millions to the box office of the movie studios. Serial heroines who aren’t neurotic like Ally McBeal. Films about successful businesswomen, mothers, athletes, therapists or musicians. Women journalists winning awards! We want, yes, we need to hear success stories so that the girls of the future can one day say: “The heroine of my childhood/adolescence was…”.

So you could create a new cartoon character especially for Women’s Day: Power Chick. During the day she is a housewife and mother and works 60% in the office. At night, she gets rid of the bad guys and ensures law and order in a Swiss town. In flats, because let’s face it, no one wants to save the world in stilettos. I’m already looking forward to the movie! And well, maybe it doesn’t need that at all, because a superheroine who juggles relationship, job, child(ren) and house every day stands next to us in the supermarket, lives one floor below or works at the desk across the street.

By the way: the fictional character I ended up calling the aforementioned colleague was Blanche Devereaux, the southerner from the fantastic 80’s series “Golden Girls”. The hubby woman over 50 has always been my heroine. But we shouldn’t analyze this election any further…