The Best Female Characters on Television Right Now

It may only take one powerful female character to inspire millions of women around the world to start living their best lives but when you have more than you can count, things are bound to get interesting. With a thought-provoking storyline from every angle, these female television characters continue to prove time and again that the future is female and strength lies within all of us at any given time.

So what do all of these women have in common? They all have strength – in character and in real life! These women show us how it’s done. Time to start taking notes!

Olivia Benson – Law & Order: SVU

Photo: NBC/Universal

Lieutenant Olivia Benson is the commanding officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit and she has no time for anyone’s games. Played by Mariska Hargitay, Olivia Benson is a strong, career-driven female and an inspiration to women everywhere. Taylor Swift even named one of her cats after her.

While being the commanding officer can be downright traumatic and emotionally draining, Benson is always heroic, saving the day for people in need, including rescuing women from terrible offenses that are considered especially heinous, along with saving herself from a few harrowing situations in past seasons.