Grey’s Anatomy stands out as one of the best TV medical drama series in the history of television. Over the years, the show has been more than just surgical procedures and compelling characters since it has become a platform for showing the strength, resilience, and empowerment of its female characters. After all, the show was created by a woman, its lead character is a woman, and many of its most important characters are women.
In a long-term series like this one, it’s not a surprise that these characters have to face the intricacies of the male-dominated world of medicine along the way. Skepticism and discrimination have tried to dim their brilliance. But we have witnessed how these women overcome the challenges imposed by gender-based limitations. Finding a way to shine on their own and showing that nothing can extinguish their spirits. Therefore, here’s a list of 10 iconic moments in Grey’s Anatomy that have shown how powerful these women can be.
10.Izzie Talks Proudly About Her Past as a Model
In the first season of Grey’s Anatomy, as we are introduced to many of the characters, we get to meet Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), one of the new interns of Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) generation. She’s been teased about how she used to be a lingerie model, and even pictures of her modeling are plastered all over the hospital. So, her colleagues, including Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), start to refer to her as “Dr. Model”.
Why it Makes the List
Izzie was not going to let this fact diminish her, her efforts, and her achievements, particularly not by a man. We are shown a memorable and empowering scene as she confronts the situation in the locker room. She made it clear to them that she has nothing to be ashamed of. Even mentioning that she already had her fair share of challenges in life, and that modeling was the way she found financial independence, allowing her to be debt-free. She’s shown confidence, and this scene is one of the many that highlight that women in this hospital are not unapologetic about their decisions, and they’re not willing to be defined by social expectations.
9.Meredith Confronts Derek’s Sexist Behavior
Another pivotal scene that still resonates after all these years was one in season two, episode 24, “Damage case”. By this moment, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith’s relationship has been a rollercoaster of emotions. They were trying to be friends, after Meredith found out that he was married. Therefore, Meredith tries to move on with her life, and she ends up sleeping with other men, including her coworker and friend, George O’Malley (T. R. Knight).
Why it Makes the List
After Derek finds out about it, he questioned her and degraded Meredith for these romantic choices; a situation that not only infuriated her, but also left the fans of the series deeply dismayed. To this attack, Meredith boldly responded, defending herself and her decisions. This moment marked her refusal to be defined by her relationships, she didn’t allow him to diminish her worth, and she doesn’t let Derek’s sexist judgment affect her. Besides, this situation also shows the double standards that are often applied to women in real life.
8.Callie Stands Up For Herself
Not adding Callie Torres (Sara Ramírez) to this list is nearly impossible, as she’s one of the strongest female characters in a cast full of strong women. In this particular scene, in season six, episode five, “Invasion”, Callie’s father attempts to condemn his daughter’s bisexuality. Even going so far as to bring a pastor who will “fix her”. A fact that was not appreciated at all by Callie, who didn’t succumb to the pressure. Instead, she courageously asserted that both her sexuality and her beliefs were not in conflict.
Why it Makes the List
This moment not only shows a brave woman refusing to compromise who she was and her religion because of what her family was expecting of her, but it also delivers a powerful message about the importance of self-acceptance and staying true to who you are. Furthermore, Callie’s response is not only an empowering moment for women, but it also resonates strongly with the LGBTQIA+ community. Demonstrating the strength of a queer woman facing discrimination and prejudice.
7.Christina Defends Her Choice to Remain Child-Free
For women, the common expectation is that they will desire to have children, create a family and conform to the traditional roles as mothers. However, Grey’s Anatomy decided to break that mold in Cristina’s (Sandra Oh) storyline. This was a big deal at the time, when it wasn’t yet too common to see women openly choosing not to be mothers in the media.
Why it Makes the List
With this scene, Cristina Yang became a symbol of women taking control of their lives. It highlights the importance of self-determination, exemplifying that women have every right to define what their priorities and aspirations are, regardless of what other people think. Challenging the old way of thinking and giving women a new perspective on life. Making them know and believe that they are allowed to choose without judgment what path to take. And they have every right to have the life they want, and not one that’s expected of them.
6.Christina Tells Meredith That She’s the Sun, Not Derek
Cristina was always an iconic character on Grey’s Anatomy, and before she left the show for good, she wasn’t going to go without giving more of her wisdom to her best friend. By this moment, Meredith is struggling in her family life since Derek’s career is changing. To this, Cristina said, “Don’t let what he wants eclipse what you need. He’s very dreamy, but he’s not the sun, you are,” a quote that still resonates today with the audience of this show.
Why it Makes the List
These powerful words from Cristina are a testament to how this show encourages women to stand up for themselves. Because it emphasizes the importance of prioritizing one’s dreams, needs, and ambitions. Highlighting the fact that women should not be (or feel) overshadowed or diminished by their partner’s dreams for the sake of the relationship. Instead, they should be free to pursue their goals unapologetically, to shine as bright as the sun as individuals.
5.Amelia Realized She Shines on Her Own
From day one, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) was introduced as “the other Dr. Shepherd”, but she wasn’t as respected and esteemed as her brother. She was constantly under his shadow, and this made her feel uneasy and insecure about her value as a surgeon. So, when she must confront a formidable surgical challenge, she asked for her brother to get back to help her. However, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) gives her some words of wisdom that help her trust herself.
Why it Makes the List
After that, Amelia goes from self-doubt to self-assuredness. She’s confident about her skills and navigates the complex surgery by herself. It’s a scene that highlights the way she recognizes her own competence, an inspiration for other women to believe in their capabilities, face challenges without fear, and shatter any self-imposed limitation.
4.Meredith Decides She Doesn’t Need Derek
Throughout the whole series, we can see that Meredith and Derek’s relationship is far from perfect, and at some point, the audience could feel that she was kind of dependent on him. After all, she was the one who said “Pick me, choose me, love me” first. However, in season 11, their marriage has been more complicated than ever, and Meredith comes to a realization: She can live without Derek Shepherd. A moment that carries a powerful message of true independence and personal growth within a relationship.
Why it Makes the List
In this epiphany of hers, she acknowledges that she loves him, but also recognizes her own strength and self-sufficiency. After all, by this moment in the show when Derek has been away, she has thrived as a surgeon and as an individual. Why is this so empowering? Because it shows that even when people are in a relationship, they don’t need to surrender their own identity. Ultimately, it’s also a reminder that personal growth and empowerment can be perfectly complementary with love.
3.The Creation of Catherine Fox Foundation
Why it Makes the List
Because of this, Catherine was ready to take the blame for the whole situation, so the hospital won’t be affected. However, her son, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams), wasn’t going to let that happen to his mother. Since she was as powerless as the women who took the money because there wasn’t much they could do in such a situation against a powerful white man back in the day.
Therefore, they take another approach to the issue, as they acknowledge the problem and give a voice to those who were once silenced, taking the steps to make sure a situation like that won’t happen again. To show that, they completely erase the name of Harper Avery and change it into the name of the capable woman who has been leading the foundation all along, Catherine Fox.
2.Meredith Realizes She’s Worthy of Equal Payment
Equal payment has been an issue since forever, so there was no way that Grey’s Anatomy wouldn’t address it. And they do it with the very female lead, Meredith. She’s been recently promoted to chief of general surgery. However, she then realizes that her compensation is not the same as that of another head of department, but she has doubts about renegotiating her contract with her boss, Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). Later, her determination sparks, and she demands equal pay for her work, skills, experience, and dedication.
Why it Makes the List
This scene is empowering for women as it showcases the importance of knowing one’s worth and standing up for one’s rights. A reminder that women should never settle for less of what they deserve and should fight for equal opportunities and compensation. Undoubtedly, a pivotal moment that many women can relate to, as the wage gap is an issue that’s still a challenge nowadays.
1.Bailey Makes History as the First Female Chief of Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial
Once the spot of Chief of Surgery for the hospital was empty, the best and most evident candidate was none other than Miranda Bailey. She has been part of the story since the beginning, so we’ve seen her go from a feared resident to a capable surgeon who’s respected by her peers and who deserved to become the chief. After all, she hasn’t just helped others grow as surgeons, she has grown herself both professionally and personally.
Why it Makes the List
She wasn’t given the mantle, as she thought it might happen. Instead, she must compete for it with another doctor who’s a complete stranger to this hospital that Bailey considered her own home. So, she advocated for herself, showing that she’s proud and confident about her talent and skills. Showcasing that she’s the perfect person to do this job and that there’s no one who could do the same work as her. Then and there, it was decided: Miranda Bailey was chosen to be the first female Chief of Surgery for the Grey Sloan Memorial.
