What Does ‘Girl Power’ Really Mean and How to Make It Real?

The phrase ‘girl power’ has become increasingly popular over the years, with a message of resilience and strength to empower young women worldwide. But what does this famous phrase mean, and is it truly beneficial? 

In today’s modern society, we are surrounded by messages about empowerment for girls and young ladies. Still, we must ask ourselves if there is anything more meaningful to this slogan than its catchy nature. 

As a psychologist, I believe that girl power is more than just a catchy slogan. Instead, it represents an opportunity for girls to make their voices heard everywhere, to learn and grow, and to be taken seriously. 

In this article, I’ll dive into what ‘girl power’ can truly mean, what the 90s and modern girl power icons are, and how you can become a girl power icon yourself. Keep reading to find out more. 

What is Girl Power by Meaning?

Girl power is a feminist slogan aimed to support and empower women. It emphasizes girls’ independence, strength, and self-confidence. In this sense, it can be seen as a form of girl activism that promotes women’s rights in society. 

In other words, girl power teaches girls to be self-aware, confident in their abilities, and unafraid to speak up for themselves. It’s also about accepting diversity and encouraging girls to be fearless in pursuing their dreams. 

The original concept of girl power is rooted in the 1990s feminist movement; it responded to the idea that girls and young women were not powerful enough to stand up for themselves. It is an empowering message encouraging many young girls to take control of their lives and embrace their inner strength. 

What Are 90s Girl Power Icons?

The 1990s was an era of female icons that advocated for women’s rights. These icons have continued to inspire young women today. 

Here are some of the most famous 90s girl power icons: 

Madonna

Madonna is the original 90s girl power icon. Her music and videos are filled with messages of female empowerment, self-love, and acceptance of one’s identity. She has always been a feminist and an advocate for women’s rights, using her celebrity status to bring awareness to gender inequality. 

The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls were a famous British girl band formed in the 90s and quickly rose to stardom. Their catchphrase, “Girl Power,” became synonymous with female empowerment. Their music focused on topics such as feminism, female strength, and independence.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was a groundbreaking series in many ways. The main character, Buffy, is a powerful female hero who uses her strength and intelligence to battle monsters. She is an icon of bravery and girl power, teaching young women to be strong and independent. 

Clarissa Darling

Clarissa Darling, the protagonist of the popular Nickelodeon show “Clarissa Explains it All,” was a strong, smart, and independent teenage girl. She was always finding solutions to her problems, teaching young girls they could be their heroines. 

Carrie Bradshaw

The main character of the popular HBO show “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw, was an independent woman who had a successful career and wasn’t afraid to be herself. She taught young women that they could be strong, independent, and sexually liberated simultaneously.

These are just several inspiring female icons from the 90s. From Madonna to Buffy to Clarissa Darling, these women have demonstrated that girls and women can be powerful, independent, and successful. 

What Are Modern Girl Power Icons? 

In the modern era, there are still plenty of inspiring female icons advocating for women’s rights and gender equality. 

Here is a short list of some modern girl power icons: 

Beyoncé

Beyoncé is one of the most potent female icons in the modern era. Her music, videos, and public appearances spread messages of female empowerment, self-love, and acceptance. She is also a vocal advocate for women’s rights, speaking out about the gender pay gap and other issues that disproportionately affect women. 

Geena Davis 

Geena Davis is an actress and activist who founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. The Institute ensures that women and girls are represented fairly in media and advocates for gender equality. 

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is an outspoken climate change activist who has influenced the fight against global warming. Her advocacy has inspired many young people to take action and use their voices to stand up for what they believe in. 

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has been a powerful female voice in the music industry for many years. She is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality, often using her platform to encourage girls and young women to be fearless in pursuing their dreams. 

Emma Watson

Actor Emma Watson rose to stardom playing Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” movies. She is also an outspoken advocate for female rights, and her “He for She” campaign encourages men to take a stand against gender inequality. 

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has always been an advocate for the LGBT community as well as female empowerment. Her music often focuses on self-acceptance, body image, and female strength. 

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is a powerful female icon in Hollywood. She advocates for human rights, and her humanitarian work has been widely praised. She also stands up to gender inequality and violence against women. 

These are some of the many powerful female icons in the modern era. Through their work, they continue to spread messages of gender equality and female empowerment. 

How Can You Become a Powerful Girl?

Being a powerful girl requires strength, resilience, and determination. Such girls are brave, independent, and have a strong sense of self-worth. 

You can do a few things to become a powerful girl. With these simple ten tips, you can become an empowered girl:

1. Be confident in yourself - If you believe in yourself and your talents and abilities, you will be more likely to take risks and stand up for your beliefs. Only you can define your success and happiness. 

2. Speak up for yourself - Don’t be afraid to use your voice and speak out against injustice, inequality, or any other issue that you feel strongly about. You will surely inspire others to do the same if you stand up for something. 

3. Surround yourself with positive influences - Surrounding yourself with strong, inspiring female role models will help you stay motivated and reach your goals. Positive role models can also provide advice and support when needed. 

4. Take care of yourself - Your physical and mental health is essential to being powerful and successful. Make sure you get enough rest, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and practice self-care. 

5. Set goals and work towards them - Setting achievable goals can help you stay focused and motivated. They will also help you measure your progress and celebrate your successes. 

6. Always be on time - Being punctual and reliable is an important part of building your reputation and credibility. Such a practice will help you be taken seriously in any situation. 

7. Don’t give up - It may take time and hard work, but never give up on your dreams. Keep going and stay focused, and you will eventually get where you want to be. 

8. Keep learning - Continue to learn and challenge yourself. Read books, take classes, get involved in the community – any way you can expand your knowledge will help you on your journey. 

9. Always visualize your goal - A visualization is a powerful tool that can help any girl to stay focused and motivated. By regularly picturing yourself achieving your goals, you will be more likely to make them a reality. 

10. Network - Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with other powerful women. It can open doors and create new opportunities for you. Start attending events and joining online communities if you don’t have many contacts. 

By following these tips, you can be on your way to becoming a powerful girl. You can reach your goals and positively impact the world with dedication and hard work. Good luck! 

Bottom Line

Girl power is more than a trending topic or marketing ploy. It’s an essential step in the fight for gender equality. 

Powerful female icons such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Angelina Jolie are leading the charge for women’s rights and inspiring a new generation of women to stand up for themselves and make their voices heard. Through their actions and words, they continue to show everyone that anything is possible if you stay strong, work hard, and never give up. 

So be brave, speak up for what you believe in, and never forget the power of girl power. You got this!