Feminist Icons of 2008 and 2009

by Kaite Welsh

Tina Fey ridiculing Sarah Palin... Laura Marling bringing us her indi-folk-pop... Hillary Clinton giving it some grr... 2008 was a good year for women. And 2009 looks set to be even better...

Michelle Obama

The first First Lady of colour in the White House was always going to make a splash. But when you throw in the political savvy, quick wit (and gorgeous husband who is clearly crazy about her), we might just have the new Jackie O on our hands.

Kristen Stewart

Twilight's Bella Swann is about to hit the big time, with half a dozen films in the pipeline.

The cast of The L Word

Like it or loathe it, the lady-loving-ladies from L.A. are back for one final, climactic - at least if you're Shane - season.

Florence and the Machine

This harp-playing singer songwriter is about to become the next big thing on the UK music scene. Which is handy because, you know, Florence and the Machine rock.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton's film '9 to 5' comes to Broadway next year in the shape of a musical starring The West Wing's Allison Janney. Cue the latest Renaissance of the singer who calls herself the 'Backwoods Barbie'.

Julianna Hatfield

The reclusive rocker finally came out of the woodwork and published her autobiography, 'When I Grow Up', this year. A compelling account of a shy girl who grabbed the microphone in both hands because she just had to, it's both rock 'n' roll memoir and a haunting account of the depression and eating disorders that plagued her adult life.

Hillary Clinton

OK, so she didn't get the presidency, but she did, in her own words, put "18 million cracks" in the highest glass ceiling of all. And now Obama has chosen Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, there's no telling what she'll do next.

Tina Fey

Even without the brilliance of 30 Rock or the gutbusting hilarity of Babymama, 2008 will be known as The Year of Fey. Her Sarah Palin impression made the fear that the anti-choice Creationist might be in power for the next four years almost bearable. Almost.

Erica Hahn

Until her untimely departure (and Brooke Smith's random, unprecedented firing), Erica Hahn was one of best things that Grey's Anatomy had going for it. Snarky, smart and discovering her sexuality in her early forties, she was the new Kerry Weaver. And she snogged Callie Torres, and who doesn't want to do that?

Laura Marling

Laura Marling's dreamy brand of indie-folk-pop catapulted the 18 year old into the public consciousness with her quirkily-titled first album, 'Alas, I Cannot Swim in February' and it looks like she's here to stay...

More Grrl Opinion and Blogs

• Babe's Bible | Riot Grrl | Music Minx | Wicca | Politics | Girl Geek | Kitsch Bitch

Mission statement

Mookychick believes that climbing trees and riding giant turtles is more fun and girly than worrying about make-up. But if you want to worry about make-up instead of turtles? Fine by us. Be you feminist, kitten, punk, emo, indie, goth, witch, vegan, horror junky, intellectual, christian goth, corset queen, geek, unicorn, sea monkey... be you into alternative style, alternative health, spirituality, comics, manga, j-pop, harajuku or jock culture... we will always love you.