Olivia Benson's been killing it on screen since the debut of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" in 1999. Beyond locking up dirtbags and throwing away the key, Detective (turned Lieutenant) Benson moves and speaks with the kind of power we all need to see and strive for. It's 2018 y'all, and we need all the strong female representation we can get.
Where there's a place for Susan B. and Malala, there's a place for Olivia. You'll see why.
1. She's always the first to remind us that consent is nonnegotiable.
To those who think that consent is a new concept or a gray area: no. Listen to Liv.
2. From officer all the way up to lieutenant, she gives women the representation we deserve in leadership positions.
When a group of people sees themselves represented, they learn that not only are they worthy of such representation, but they too can reach the same kinds of positions they're seeing being held onscreen. Seeing a woman in a position like lieutenant is a game changer for young women.
3. She's got the same training and the same guts as any man on the unit – and she won't let you forget that.
She'll stop any thinly-veiled sexism right in its tracks.
4. From crib bars to prison bars, Olivia does it all; and makes it clear that any woman can, too.
It doesn't have to be a debate. You can raise that picket sign and that white picket fence.
5. And she's tired of being told to talk like a lady.
Let's be real; men are allowed to say whatever they want and write it off as "locker room talk," but women are held to a different standard. Ladies, take it from Olivia: you don't always have to be sweet.
6. She teaches us that one of the most important things to do after trauma is taking back control.
Whether it's by putting your abuser behind bars, taking a self-defense class, or sitting across from a counselor for the first time; taking back control means different things to different people, and every piece of it is valid and important.
7. Which is possible. Even after everything Olivia's seen.
After nearly two decades of investigating sex crimes with the Special Victims Unit, she's seen some awful things, both personally and professionally. Her resilience and ability to still believe in the good is something we can all learn from.
8. Because being a badass doesn't mean never asking for help.
Following a sexual assault of her own, Olivia begins going to therapy and uses what she learns to help other women.
9. And none of this means you have to be a victim.
The move from victim to survivor is one of the most important decisions a person who has been through trauma can make.
10. But sometimes, protecting people in need is the most important thing.
While the majority of us won't be in a situation where we have a gun to our heads, the courage it takes to face the tough times is something she models beautifully. Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.
11. She reminds us that as women, when we stand up for ourselves, we stand up for all women. And that's something we all owe each other.
One of the most empowering aspects of being female is looking around and realizing all of the strength that your identity has fought for and all of the power you now hold.
12. She's not afraid to be a bitch if it means getting stuff done.
The B word is the biggest weapon used to try to take powerful women like Olivia down a notch and put her back in her place. And like all powerful women, she doesn't let it stop her. Just more fuel for the fire.
13. She reminds us that some people aren't worthy of our fear.
It's perfectly okay to be afraid, especially in the aftermath of trauma; but it's also an incredibly empowering feeling to be able to take back control and realize that holding on to fear means holding on to the abuse. No one deserves the power to dictate how you feel.
14. She's an amazing icon for the gay community.
Juuust kidding. Like a lot of powerful women who are anything but fragile, she fields her fair share of assumptions. But she doesn't let this get in her way. She knows what matters.
15. And at the end of the day, she knows all of this is true and isn't afraid to flaunt it.
Fight on, Liv.
