Let's raise a glass to the women who show the world what the female population is capable of.

1. Claire Underwood from House of Cards

The show centers around Frank Underwood and his conniving ways, but Claire is just as cunning and brilliant. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.

2. Annalise Keating from How to Get Away with Murder

Annalise is, arguably, a morally ambiguous character, but her no-nonsense attitude and relentless pursuit to be the best put her on this list. She's not perfect - no one is, but she knows her flaws and doesn't let them define her.

3. Temperance Brennan from Bones

Temperance is quirky, intelligent, and lovable, despite her detached demeanor. She dominates a typically male profession (forensic anthropology) and proves that she is the bestat what she does.

Honorable mention: Kate Beckett from Castle

4. Kara Thrace (Starbuck) from Battlestar Galactica

Don't even try to mess with Kara (call sign Starbuck). Kara Thrace is one of the only females pilots in this dystopian re-imagined version of the original Battlestar Galactica where she earns the title Lieutenant then later, Captain. She won't put up with anyone's crap, so don't even think about condescending her. She will prove you wrong.

Honorable Mention: President Roslin, also from Battlestar Galactica

5. Xena from Xena: Warrior Princess

She's a warrior, she's a princess, and she's unstoppable. Look at the picture. Do you want to get in a fight with Xena? No.

6. Kimmy Schmidt from The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Largely different from the other characters on this list, Kimmy doesn't have a tough exterior. She's energetic, go-lucky, and friendly. She proves that being feminine doesn't mean you're weak and it definitely doesn't mean you aren't capable.

7. Zoe from Firefly

Zoe's a girl who knows how to handle any situation, at any time, in any place.

Honorable Mention: River Tam, also from Firefly

8. Mulan from Mulan

In a time when women weren't able to be drafted into the military, Mulan disguises herself and proves that she is just as good, if not better, than any other man that was drafted.

9. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games

She is powerhouse, physically and mentally. Her courage and love is shown when she volunteers as tribute for her sister, and her cunning and fighting skills are displayed in the game itself. Then, she takes down the very institution that started the games in the beginning. (Can you say down with the patriarchy?)

10. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

When the situations turn bad, it is Hermione who saves the day. Hermione is the smartest person in possibly the history of Hogwarts, and without her, Harry would never have been able to defeat Lord Voldemort. And let's be honest, we all liked Hermione much better than we ever liked Harry or Ron.

11. Olivia Pope from Scandal

What would Olivia Pope do? She would handle it. She fights for what's right, even if it's not legal, and she always. gets. what. she. wants.

12. Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Witty, fun, relatable, tough, and 100% girl power, Buffy has it all. She saves the world (a lot), juggles a social life, and prioritizes her family and friends. She is the perfect balance between feminine and fierce.

Honorable Mention: all the other female characters from this show (especially Willow).

13. Nancy Drew from The Nancy Drew Series

Got a problem? Nancy Drew will solve it. Case closed.

Honorable Mention: Miss Marple from Agatha Christie's short stories

14. Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre

Considered by many to be the first feminist novel, Jane Eyre is brilliantly told and the character Jane is truly a radical character for her time period.

15. Sethe from Beloved

Sethe, an escaped slave, goes through trials and tribulations that instill that how brave she is, and tell a haunting story of the dangers of slavery.

16. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth is given one token of advice: marry the man with the money. But when the rich man offers her his hand in marriage, she turns him down. Elizabeth teaches us to never settle for someone or something comfortable when you can have what you desire.

17. Princess Leia from Star Wars

Princess Leia never lets herself be the damsel in distress. She always takes control of the situation. She always speaks her mind. And she stands up to the one person that everyone else fears, Darth Vader.

18. Black Widow from Marvel

For a long time, the superhero and Marvel Universe lacked female heroes. Then came Black Widow. Marvel, you got it right. Now let's have some more.

Honorable Mention: Agent Carter, also from the Marvel Universe

19. Jo March from Little Women

Jo is the little girl that we all wanted to be: daring, creative, inspiring, and independent. Jo shows all the possibilities for what a girl could be, and they are endless.

20. Lady Macbeth from Macbeth

Don't let the title fool you: Macbeth was not the character who wielded the power in this relationship. Lady Macbeth was a blood thirsty machine that made Macbeth look spineless and weak. There is no doubt that Lady Macbeth is one of the strongest female characters ever written.

21. The Women of Game of Thrones

I'm one of the few people who has never seen this show, but I asked my father who his favorite fictional female character was and he said all the women of this cast. So, cheers.

22. Martha from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Martha and her husband George play the game of life and they're both in it to win it, through sickness and in health.

23. Alaska from Looking for Alaska

Last on the list is mysterious, resourceful, and thoroughly-likeable Alaska. Alaska is the one character that had me in tears even months after I finished the book. She is a powerful character while reading the book, but she sticks with you long after: a true mark of a perfect character.

Let me know in the comments who your favorites are from this list, or ones that I missed! And, if you haven't read or watched these shows/books/movies, make sure to catch up on these remarkable women.