Recently, while scrolling through Netflix, as one does, I decided that it was about time I had taken that important step in my binge watching relationship. I have hopped on the Grey's Anatomy bandwagon and, so far, I am loving it. Shonda Rhimes has created characters that are complex and multidimensional and I have grown very attached to them in a very short time.
If you do not watch Grey's Anatomy, let me introduce you to the best woman on the show (in my opinion, of course). Her name is Calliope Iphegenia Torres, a.k.a. Callie Torres or Dr. Torres. She is very important to me.
Dr. Callie Torres is everything. She is the sun that graces the show with her warm presence. She makes the show that much better and I'm here to tell you why.
She is incredibly funny and witty.
Seriously, she has all of the best one liners on that show. I swear, she makes me laugh more than any other character on the show. Her sense of humor is clever and everything I strive towards as a human being.
She has a really big heart.
Callie is a really good person to have around. She is always there for the people she cares about and is very loyal to her family and friends. She checks in with her co-workers when she sees something is wrong and loved Arizona so deeply that she sacrificed so much for her.
But she is not afraid to tell it like it is.
She is not afraid to play the "bad cop". When people need a good dose of the truth, Callie dishes it out. Honestly, she is the voice of reason on the show to which I cling. Someday, I will master her tough love tactic and be the boss of my life (#lifegoals).
She is a gifted surgeon.
She was able to build cartilage, which is huge for an orthopedic surgeon. She was asked to speak at a TED conference. Also, she started a clinical trial of building robotic limbs for veterans. ROBOT LIMBS. She's making it possible for the Grey's Anatomy world to be one step closer to Robot Cop. How cool is that?
She is confident.
You know how I mentioned #lifegoals? Well, her confidence is unquestionable and unwavering. Her ability to be so secure in herself is so important to me. She owns her sexiness and curvy body. She is unashamed of herself and bold. How could she not be? Seriously, this woman is truly a goddess.
But she is not afraid to be vulnerable.
Time and time again she has shown that she can be open to others. She uses her empathy to connect with her patients and confides in her friends when life is tough. It's what makes her a good friend and partner.
She is an openly bisexual woman of color.
Having characters like her on TV is revolutionary. She can help teach women to be more confident in themselves. Furthermore, as a queer Latina, I find her mere presence on Grey's a gift. She is everything I strive to be. If any of you need a role model, Callie Torres is it. Like her, you got to remember to be strong, happy, and kind.
And keep dancing in your underwear.
