The Women of Harry Potter

In the muggle world, Emma Watson has become a feminist figurehead as the United Nations Women’s Goodwill Ambassador. She has created gender equality campaigns, a feminist book club, and given many speeches and interviews about her views on women in society, her latest with Esquire magazine.

It is International Women’s Day, and Emma is blowing up her own Twitter, as she helps women around the world celebrate being a woman. Even J.K. Rowling, one of the most influential women in the world, took a break from explaining her first North American Magic history lesson to chime in.

.@EmWatson@HeforShe#HeForShe

Nice emoji! You’re an inspirational woman x

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 8, 2016

Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling are just a couple of the leading women from the Harry Potter family–Evanna and Bonnie have been making headlines and spreading their positive influence throughout the film industry as well.

All these women fell into the spotlight through their role in the beloved Harry Potter series, which also sports a lot of powerhouse women–Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Tonks, Molly Weasley, Fleur Delacour, and so many more (the female staff at Hogwarts, especially McGonagall, who shape Harry’s education). Let’s face it, Harry would have gotten no where fast without these women behind him.

Hermione is the brains of the operation, but she is also very brave and has a good heart. Like Emma Watson, she was passionate about causes she cared, wether it was S.P.E.W. or the D.A. As the brightest witch of her age, she was one who could go anywhere and do anything. She was Miss Independent but still relied on her loving relationships with others.

Luna Lovegood taught girls to be themselves, no matter what. Luna is unique and quirky, and often her personality is the butt of jokes and the subject of bullying. However, Luna never let that deter her. She took it in stride, stayed true to herself, never wavering, and became one of Harry’s greatest allies. Luna had wit beyond measure, but she too was incredibly brave–unafraid to stand up for Harry despite being imprisoned by Lord Voldemort, and later globe trotting with her husband Rolf Scamander looking for fantastic beasts.

[Book] Ginny wasn’t Harry’s perfect match just because she was pretty. No, Ginny was perfect for Harry because she was fierce. She was just as good, if not better, at Quidditch as her fellow male wizarding athletes–she even went pro. She wasn’t dainty; with six older brothers, Ginny knew how to be rough as well as loving. She is particularly gifted at hexes.

Tonks and Fleur, as “Mad-Eye” (Barty Crouch Jr.) put it, are “as  much a fairy princess as I am.” Both Tonks and Fleur are talented witches who know how to put up a good fight for those they love. As prominent members of the Order of the Phoenix, neither of them would let any dark wizard stand between them and their families, or standing up for what is right. In Tonks, we already see Hufflepuffs making valiant warriors, as well as being loyal and hard working.

Molly Weasley’s prowess stems way beyond page 736 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The woman was a full time mother to seven children–that in and of itself is applaudable. She had to raise Fred and George. As awesome as those two are, they were probably quite a handful growing up. Molly Weasley takes care of everyone she loves, not just her immediate family. She practically adopts Harry, and we know she would always be there for him no matter what, like any true mother.

Without any of these women, or any others in the Harry Potter books, the series would not have been the same. We hope everyone, especially women–both young and old, has had a happy International Women’s Day!