If you haven't watched "Parks and Rec" because you think it is a lame version of The Office, we'll you are kind of right. Although the two TV shows are very similar, there is one thing The Office does not have, Leslie Knope. Played by Amy Pohler, Leslie Knope the Parks and Recreation Deputy Director of Pawnee, Indiana, is the ultimate definition of a powerful woman in the workforce.
She knows what she wants. She takes the control of any problem that is coming her way, even if it is not in her department. She is the type of person to always lend a helping hand. When the Mayor specifically wants Leslie to help capture a possum on a golf course, she creates a team to capture him because she is so excited that the Mayor asked her to do it. She is organized and cares about where she works and makes sure she is doing her best to serve her people.
Leslie sets goals for herself and has real role models that she looks up to and fills up her office. She has pictures of Joe Biden (her secret crush), other role models include Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Condoleezza Rice. All powerful women in the world of politics. Although it takes almost the whole series for Leslie to get her park, she makes it happen nonetheless.
And just like any girl, Leslie has trouble with romance. She has a few different boyfriends or love interests in the show but no guy is better for her than Ben. Ben and Leslie support each other 100% just like any couple should. They have a love for government and want to make their little town of Pawnee and ultimately the United States, great. She runs for different political offices during the seasons and when the going gets tough, she never loses sight of achieving her dreams. When people in the show, especially the men, tell her no, she never listens to them and beats to her own drum. Ultimately, she becomes more successful than all of those people.
Leslie is always there for her friends. She loves the holiday Galentine's Day and invites all her girlfriends to brunch and has gifts for them all. Whatever the occasion may be, they are all special to Leslie and she goes out of her way to make people feel special and loved.
Although this show is fictional, Leslie is an outstanding individual in more ways than one. Ultimately Leslie is a good person and a hard worker. She is kind, caring, courageous, and headstrong. Leslie Knope teaches girls, everywhere, to have a dream and believe in it. She shows how if you truly believe in something you can make it happen and it takes just one person to make a change. If you haven't watched "Parks and Rec" I suggest you do and add Leslie Knope to your list of inspirational women.
