This place is run by ladies! Badass ladies!
Since it’s debut in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has captured the attention of millions around the world. Whether it’s the drama or the trauma, there’s something for everyone to dig into. The medical series has never strayed away from pressing topics and conversations of today’s world and has incorporated several of those themes into tantalizing storylines. Off screen politics aside, the one thing ABC’s hit has done above all else? They’ve nailed the women’s movement through the portrayal of their main characters.
Throughout its eighteen seasons, Grey’s has seen more than its fair share of cast and crew changes, but one thing has remained true: Grey’s Anatomy’s fictional world is run by women.
The series follows main character, Meredith Grey, who is joined by several other incredible women, most notably: Miranda Bailey, Cristina Yang, Amelia Shepherd, and Callie Torres.
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Meredith Grey started out as a young intern and blossomed into Chief of General Surgery at Grey Sloan. She follows in the footsteps of her super-surgeon mother, Ellis Grey, and is a trailblazer of her own. One of the most important moments Grey had- in the midst of surviving plane crashes, shootings, and bombs- was negotiating her pay as Chief of General. When she got her salary offer and showed it to some of her peers, she was met with looks of disgust and later found out she was getting paid way less than her colleagues. Meredith later took the issue up with Bailey and successfully argued for the salary she deserved.
Notable quote: “Find your voice and when you do, fill the damn silence.”
When the series aired, Miranda Bailey was in the middle of her residency during which she excelled as an authority figure to the new interns and to her fellow residents. Today, she works as Grey Sloan’s Chief of Surgery- the first female Chief of Surgery the hospital has ever seen. Grey’s had only been on the air for a short amount of time when former Chief, Richard Webber, told Bailey she’d be Chief one day. Fans then watched as she continued to make strides in her field and work her way up, ultimately earning her place as Chief of Surgery in season 12. Bailey is as tough and hardcore as they come, and her role over the course of eighteen seasons has been so important.
Notable quote: “I am woman hear me roar.”
Dr. Amelia Shepherd first made her appearance in season 6, and before becoming a series regular in season 10, gave her presence to Private Practice. Amelia is the younger sister of deceased Derek Shepherd, and has spent her whole career proving she is more than just “the other Dr. Shepherd.” In season 11, Amelia tackles an impossible tumor despite all the odds and doubts from her colleagues. Fans saw a different side of Amelia- a side filled with fear and nerves differing from her usually confident and sure nature. It was during a lecture when Callie Torres inquired about Amelia enlisting help of her brother that solidified this moment as not only one of the biggest moment in Amelia’s career, but also as one of the most influential moments of the season. Amelia goes on to remove the tumor, successfully, by herself in face of all the obstacles.
Notable quote: “Only freaking superheroes”
Callie Torres ran Grey Sloan’s ortho department since her residency. While her fellow residents were working on learning and picking a specialty, Torres was taking all the ortho pages and consults. Callie was as bold as they come, and was the longest running LGBTQ character in television history. Callie embraced all of who she was, and triumphed her way through everything life threw at her. She truly embodies the type of women most of us could only hope to be. She stuck up for herself, demanded what she deserved, and didn’t take shit from anybody. Bonus: she sung about vaginas.
Notable quote: “I’m a superstar with a scalpel!”
Cristina Yang was an intern with Meredith. Immediately, she flocked to cardiothoracics and became some sort of a God. The character of Cristina Yang is complex and has many layers. She was confident, sure of herself. She knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t want, and she always stayed true to what she believed in. In season eight, Cristina finds out she’s pregnant. What follows is a very rare abortion storyline in which Yang- despite pleas from her husband- does what’s best for her and terminates the pregnancy. As mentioned, a plot like this is extremely rare, but it’s importance cannot be understated. While her husband at the time, Owen Hunt, begged and begged her to carry out the pregnancy, Cristina had never wanted kids and knew it would break her. It’s imperative to address the fact that many women felt seen and heard through Yang’s decision- a huge win for women’s representation.
Notable quote: “Don’t give a damn what anyone here thinks. You’re on your own, be on your own.”
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These are only a small handful of all the game-changing women who’ve appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, and although the show has done a remarkable job of playing out the women’s movement on screen, there’s plenty of work to be done behind the scenes in terms of workplace equality. It is essential that Grey’s continues to put strong, badass women on our screens.
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