Last weekend, my partner and I decided to take the plunge and hire a babysitter for the first time in ages. We went out for an early dinner, secured our tickets in advance, and willingly traded a full night’s sleep to enjoy a late-night movie experience together. With two little ones under three, late-night outings aren’t exactly high on our list of priorities. There’s not a summer blockbuster out there that could pry me from the comfort of sleep—not without some serious hesitation.
But this film was different.
As I stood in line for popcorn, there was an unmistakable excitement in the air. Ahead of me, a mother and her preteen daughter confidently approached the counter, both dressed head to toe in Wonder Woman attire. At that moment, I knew: this was going to be something extraordinary.
As the theater lights dimmed and we were reminded to silence our phones, a wave of anticipation washed over me. I took a sip of my soda and squeezed my partner’s hand. “Why am I feeling so anxious?” I whispered to him. He smiled reassuringly and squeezed back, providing silent support. Yet, despite his empathy, he couldn’t fully comprehend the emotions swirling inside me as I prepared to see a childhood hero come to life.
Our first glimpse of Princess Diana was through the eyes of a young girl, watching from a distance as Amazon warriors trained for battle. For those unfamiliar with this incredible universe, the Amazon warriors are exclusively female. I admit, I got chills just thinking about it. This child Diana mirrored their moves, spinning through the air with an expression of fierce confidence. She was an untamed spirit—a true warrior—unhindered by the constraints of a patriarchal society.
As I absorbed this scene as both a woman and a mother, I was profoundly moved. It didn’t matter that the girl was an actress or that her world was entirely fictional; she embodied the essence of a little girl I once knew.
I recalled a time when, at a family gathering, I was proudly at the center of my friends, wearing the cape and crown of my favorite superhero. I was a little girl who dared to dream, believing that one day, I could soar. With imaginary golden lasso in hand, I kept the boys in check at the playground. My heart was filled with innocence and unfiltered magic. No one could tell four-year-old Lily that she couldn’t conquer the world. After all, look at Wonder Woman!
But, sadly, as the years went by, that magic began to fade. I found myself navigating a world that consistently reminded me of my place as a woman. I felt the sting when high school boys were excused as “just being boys,” while cheerleaders on birth control were labeled “sluts.” I experienced betrayal when trusted adults shattered my confidence and undermined my autonomy over my own body. I was hired as a property manager only to be called a “secretary” by my male colleagues.
Day by day, for three decades, I was reminded that Wonder Woman was more myth than reality.
As I watched Diana’s journey unfold on-screen, I braced myself for the inevitable emotional downturn that female characters often endure in Hollywood. It seems that a strong woman isn’t captivating enough unless she’s stripped of her power and ultimately finds it through a romantic relationship. I wasn’t sure I could bear to witness that narrative play out. I longed to see the same little girl who once admired the warriors simply grow into one herself.
Imagine my delight when she did! Slight spoiler ahead: In a heart-stopping moment amidst the chaos of World War II, Diana shed her civilian disguise and revealed herself as the Wonder Woman we had all hoped for. As the men around her yelled, “No! Don’t go! It’s too dangerous!” Gal Gadot fearlessly climbed the ladder out of the rabbit hole and into No Man’s Land, where she took on her adversaries one by one. Because she could.
When the film ended, my partner turned to me with a smile. “Well?”
With a beaming grin, I declared, “It was fantastic!” And for me, it truly was.
Wonder Woman stands as a bold, unapologetic response to the magic-diminishing blows society has dealt our daughters. She is emotionally layered yet independent. She is beautiful without being defined by her appearance. She is powerful and never apologizes for it. As I lay in bed that night, replaying the movie’s inspiring moments in my mind, I felt the spirit of that little girl rise within me, cape and crown intact, her invisible lasso swirling around the playground, eyes sparkling with confidence and heart brimming with wonder.
This is the role model our daughters deserve, and honestly, we’ve waited long enough. It’s about time.
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Summary
In this reflection on the significance of Wonder Woman as a role model, the author shares a personal experience of watching the film and the emotions it evokes. The narrative contrasts childhood dreams with the harsh realities of adulthood, highlighting the importance of strong female characters for young girls. The article emphasizes Wonder Woman as a symbol of empowerment and resilience, ultimately calling for more authentic representations of women in media.