I've written articles in favor of my favorite female comediennes, authors, and activists, including, but not restricted to, Roxane Gay, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Amy Poehler and Sandra Cisneros. Award-winning actress Gina Rodriguez ("Jane The Virgin," "Deepwater Horizon") has been one of my favorite people to write about, not just because she is amazing at her craft, but because she's a frontrunner in bringing accurate representation of Latinos to Hollywood. However, I cannot forget about actress Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation," "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates"). Half Puerto Rican, this seriously talented actress should definitely be on Gina Rodriguez's Movement Mondays on Instagram.

Aubrey's role as April on "Parks and Recreation" was defining for me, because she was unapologetically herself, unafraid to let her dark little heart show, and yet always willing to move mountains for the people she loves.

For this and many other reasons listed below, April is an inspiration to my own dark little sense of humor.

Let's begin with...

1. When she was honest about her interpersonal relationships

2. When she wasn't afraid to display her true feelings

3. When she was proud of her heritage

4. When she refused to third-wheel with annoying couples

5. When she sang like nobody was watching

6. When she knew the answer to life's problems

...I jest.

7. When she asked life's most important questions

8. When she was unashamed of being an introvert

9. When she used fashion to make meaningful statements

And again..

10. When she was bent on obeying her parents at all costs

11. When she was confident in her intelligence

12. When she showed her enthusiasm for work

13. When she revealed the secret behind her mad leadership skills

14. When she dressed for the job

15. When she understood respect in more than one language

16. When she shared words of wisdom with her friends

17. When she went into labor with her priorities straight

18. When she was vulnerable about her inner struggles

19. When she planned *literally* killer office birthday parties

And finally...

20. When she showed her loved ones how much she truly cares (DEEP down) about them

Clearly we need more people like April in the world—people who are unapologetically themselves, yet always put other people first in the end—after a lot of dark thoughts and threatening birthday balloons, of course.