The year is 2017. Women in our society are becoming stronger and more independent, because we have been provided with examples of strong women in our families and in TV and film that we sometimes overlook.

Here are ten strong females in film and television and why we respect them so much:

1. Wonder Woman

Princess Diana, a woman of power, after hearing about World War I, becomes Wonder Woman in order to put an end to the war. Talk about a woman who fights for what she wants! During WWI, most women were sitting at home taking care of their kids, and waiting for their husbands to get home from war. Instead of following the status quo, Princess Diana, from the Amazonian Island, Themyscira, transforms herself completely in order to fight for the greater good and save the world.

2. Princess Merida

A lot of the Disney princesses are becoming stronger and don't need no man! Princess Merida who came from a royal family line was supposed to follow in her mother's footsteps and get married to a prince to continue her royal family line. Instead of forming a weak relationship with those who would bring her down instead of build her up, Merida forms a closer bond with her mother and the film shows how females who respect and love each other can build each other up.

3. Belle

Not only is Belle obsessed with her idea of freedom through education and through reading, but she is seen helping others free themselves. Belle is another one of the Disney princesses who isn't obsessed with the idea of falling in love, but how she falls in love is very brave. Not only does she take her father's place as prisoner in the Beast's castle, but she learns to not judge a book by its cover and bravely falls in love with the Beast, not fearing what it may do to her reputation. At the end of the movie, instead of some prince saving her, Belle saves her father from being thrown into a mental institution and the Beast

4. Mulan

Mulan is strong for taking her elderly father's place in the war. For most of the movie, she disguises herself as a man and breaks the gender stereotypes in order to fight for her country against the Huns. Although she broke the law to fight for China, Shang eventually falls in love with Mulan for the bravery she exhibited. Mulan's valor definitely brought honor to womankind!

5. Wendy Darling

Wendy Darling is someone who is seriously overlooked in Peter Pan. Since Peter has such a big personality, we don't see that Wendy has not only fought pirates, but she fought being in love with a boy who was a weight on her shoulders and wouldn't allow her to grow up and fully develop into the women she had to become. Being in love is brave, but giving up someone you love, so you can love yourself and do what's right for you, is fearless.

6. Robin Scherbatsky

Robin Scherbatsky was a woman who left her home and her country to pursue her dream as a journalist in America. Although she had a rough upbringing, she pushed through and bit by bit began to regain her sense of self. Robin is seen in many relationships through out the series, but she seems to take a breather whenever she loses her sense of self. Through her loyalty to self and overall badassery, she's a woman to be looked up to.

7. Pam Beasley

Pam is a strong woman who stands up for herself. She left her fiancé, Roy, who was mistreating her, and interfered in Jim's relationship with Karen, because Karen was standing in Pam's way of what would make both her and Jim happy. Not only does Pam take charge in her relationship life, but she knows that she won't be a receptionist for Dunder Mifflin for the rest of her life. Instead of sitting around and pushing her passion to the side, she takes action and goes to art school in New York to make herself better to suit her dreams.

8. Leslie Knope

If this woman ran for president in real life, I would vote! Leslie loves her friends, is dedicated to her career and she approaches every obstacle with enthusiasm. She never gives up. Her optimism and her encouraging for others to be as happy and independent as she is is truly inspirational.

9. Arya Stark

Let me tell you. Arya is everything that I wish I was when I was younger. Obviously, the hardships that Arya had to go through shaped her as a person and turned her into the independent, bold girl that she is. However, she never loses her sense of self. Once she picks up a sword, she puts the entirety of her identity

10. Khaleesi