Let’s face it: as kids, we’d glue our eyes to the TV & films to find heroes—those who made us feel seen, fired us up, or gave us a bit of guts. For those who grew up in the ‘90s & 2000s, cartoons & films had a lot of sharp, bold, & big-name women. They were heroes who aced the day, stood tall for what was right, & made being smart, keen, or odd look cool. Here are 14 women—drawn, on-screen, & based on real life—who made a dent.
14. Kim Possible
She was more than just a high school cheer girl—Kim was a world-traveling champ with gear, guts, & sharp wits. She took on bad guys & school woes, showing us smart & strong fit well. Plus, who didn’t crave a call watch?
13. Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Katara was the lone waterbender in her place but grew to be a brave fighter & warm chief. She kept Team Avatar stable, & her rise from pupil to pro taught us that might & kind don’t clash.
12. Shuri (Black Panther)
Tech ace. Royal. Meme star. Shuri gave tech-loving girls a top role model. She made next-gen tech, joked like a boss, & showed that brains are their kind of might.
11. Honey Lemon & Go Go Tomago (Big Hero 6)
Two sharp types, both just as fierce. Honey Lemon was bright & cheery, tossing chem mixes with a grin, while Go Go was the quick-talk, quick-move tech lady who said less & did more. They both spun Girl Might in tech into something new.
10. Ellie Arroway (Contact)
Led by her need to know & sharp mind, Ellie (played by Jodie Foster) moved past loss & doubt to touch space life. Her tale taught us that faith in science & self could let you reach for the stars.
9. Dr. Ryan Stone (Gravity)
Lost in space, all on her own, Dr. Stone could have quit. She chose to fight on, armed with grit, smarts, & sheer will. Her tale is not just about space—it’s about toughing it out.
8. Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo)
Jinkies! Velma is the brains in Mystery Inc., cracking each ghost case with straight smarts, cool thinking, & a ton of doubt. She made being brainy cool.
7. Jenny Wakeman (My Life as a Teenage Robot)
A robot with a teen girl’s heart, Jenny tried to juggle world-saving with school life. Her tale mixed tech smarts with deep feels, reminding us that to be human is not just about flesh & bone.
6. Donna Clark & Cameron Howe (Halt and Catch Fire)
Not drawn, but huge game changers. Donna & Cameron took on the ‘80s tech guy world, making PCs, start-ups, & legacies. Sharp, real, & hard-core, they broke molds—and some glass tops.
5. Agent Dana Scully (The X-Files)
Scully did more than chase aliens—she urged loads of girls to dive into science & meds. With her hard smarts, keen mind, & dry jokes, she showed that doubt doesn’t shut out awe.
4. Mary Jackson, Katherine Goble, Dorothy Vaughan (Hidden Figures)
These real heroes did the math that sent folks to space. Against hate & tough blocks, they changed our story with their brains, working as one, and pushing. True heroes, no less.
3. Helen Parr / Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
A mom & a hero? Helen did it in style. Stretching through towns or being mom to three wild kids, she showed us might has many forms, & doing two things at once can save the day.
2. Dr. Grace Augustine (Avatar)
A plant pro with a bit of edge, Grace mixed deep study with respect for culture. She did more than study Pandora—she lived it, backing care over win. She brought care into the study.
1. Dr. Erin Mears (Contagion)
In a world hit by sickness, Dr. Mears kept cool, led the way, & risked it all to save folks. Her guts & true to science made her a big hero for real.
These stars—real & made-up, drawn & on-screen—show us that a hero is not about super leaps or bright gear. It’s about heart, brains, guts, & will. Whether on TV as kids or on big screens, these women made us trust we could lead, invent, fight, & flip the world. Got a young one at home? Don’t be shocked if their first hero wears no cape—but has a laptop, a tiny glass, or a big view.