Women TV characters in the military are pretty few and far between, when you think about it. In my November newsletter, I listed TV series that featured women in the military.  Novelist, coach, podcaster Beth Barany reminded me of the TV women I missed. Namely, she noted, characters serving in military capacities in space. It was innocent, though, since sci-fi is not my strong suit. Beth noted regular women characters from Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Killjoys (2015-2019). Beth has written on the character Samantha Carter, Air Force astrophysicist in the series Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)).

Those women characters were generally serious, smart and dedicated to the mission.

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media team tracks the power of STEM women on TV. Numbers don’t lie and there’s a true impact when girls see STEM characters. So it’s great that at a more relatable level, Beth spotlights and celebrates the presence of STEM women in science fiction and government work. Representation is important to girls, and to all who don’t feel they see themselves on TV.

As a former government employee, I  proudly watched all 246 episodes of Bones. I appreciate Bones for its commitment to the truth and justice. It shows that government work is interdisciplinary, and science is respected. I appreciate receiving notes that make me think further. Thanks Beth, for adding depth to our recognition of women TV women characters in the military.

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