Happy Women’s Day! Strong Female Protagonists in YA

I wasn’t planning to do this post, but then I remembered it was . . . International Women’s Day! So of course I had to post about my favorite badass girls in YA. There are so many amazing girls, and they are all inspirations and role models.

Inej Ghafa (Six of Crows)

Art by Bloodydammit

I love Inej so so much. She’s been through so much, yet is still so strong and a fighter. She’s honestly a huge role model for me, and I swear I’m gonna scream when I see her in the TV show.

The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.

Linh Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles)

Art by Laura Hollingsworth

I love Cinder so much! She’s so incredibly resilient and is an amazing person. I love her brave, sarcastic personality and her relationship with Kai.

Broken isn’t the same as unfixable.

Scarlet Benoit (The Lunar Chronicles)

Art by Laura Hollingsworth

Did you really think I wouldn’t add Scarlet onto here? She’s confident, fierce, has a quick trigger finger and is a little reckless, because what would an MC be without a little bit of recklessness? I love Scarlet so much.

She did not know the wolf was a wicked sort of animal, and she was not afraid of him.

Nova Artino(Renegades)

Art by itme.z

Nova. NOVA. I love her so, so much. She’s a badass “Villain” but has morals and in the Renegades series, she is conflicted between the right thing to do and her loyalty to the Anarchists and AGH I love her.

One cannot be brave who has no fear.

Helene Aquilla (An Ember in the Ashes)

Art by twitter user @taratjah

My Queen Helene. That wasn’t intended to rhyme. But it’s the only way to describe her. Helene Aquilla went through so much, so much, yet still she rose from the ashes *wink wink* and still is strong. She’s a real inspiration.

But you, Helene Aquilla, are no swift burning spark. You are a torch against the night— if you dare to let yourself burn.

Jude Duarte (The Cruel Prince)

Art by twitter user @Starbit Art

Jude Duarte is amazing. Just amazing. She’s so resiliant, yet is still a good person, and a fighter inside and out. She’s an incredible role model.

“I am going to keep on defying you. I am going to shame you with my defiance. You remind me that I am a mere mortal and you are a prince of Faerie. Well, let me remind you that means you have much to lose and I have nothing. You may win in the end, you may ensorcell me and hurt me and humiliate me, but I will make sure you lose everything I can take from you on the way down. I promise you this is the least of what I can do.”

Nina Zenik (Six of Crows)

Art by Bloodydammit

My waffle loving queen! She’s so sure of herself, and just doesn’t care about what other people think. I love her so much.

“If men were ashamed when they should be, they’d have no time for anything else.”

Citra Terranova (Arc of a Scythe)

Art by kat_adara

Citra is so incredible. She’s so snappy, confident, smart, we should all aspire to be her. And also, I love her independence and ability to make the hard decisions.

You may ask any question. Some, however, must be answered by silence.

Spensa Nightshade (Skyward)

Art by Taratjah

Spensa is such an incredible character. One of my favorites of the year. She was determined, smart, brave, confident, and a fighter, both physically and mentally. I was rooting for her since page 1.

“It has always seemed to me that a coward is a person who cares more about what people say than about what is right. Bravery isn’t about what people call you, Spensa. It’s about who you know yourself to be.”

Some Feminism Quotes Because That’s What I Like:

Once upon a time she saved herself. The end.

Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.

I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives but as nouns.

Feminism is the radical idea that women’s safety is more important than men’s feelings.

These ladies up above show us just how strong we can be.

Happy International Women’s Day, girls!

Note: If you want to do a similar post on your on blog, that’s great, I’d just like to have appropriate credit if you got the idea from me. Thanks!

Do you love these characters? Anyone I should have added? Do you have any feminism quotes to share? Leave your thoughts on this post in the comments!