top of page

90s Inspiring Female Icons

Writer's picture: Helen MooresHelen Moores

Updated: Jan 17



Growing up in the '90s was an experience shaped by bold voices and unapologetic individuality, especially for young women figuring out their identities. As a female therapist reflecting on the women who inspired me back then and continue to resonate with me today, it’s clear that figures like Helena Bonham Carter, Helen Fielding, Alanis Morissette, the Spice Girls, and TLC weren’t just pop culture icons—they were trailblazers who embodied complexity, creativity, and empowerment.


 

Helena Bonham Carter


Helena Bonham Carter was, and is, a maverick.


Watching her portray eccentric, intense, and deeply authentic characters made me feel seen in a way that felt rare at the time.


She refused to conform to the polished, hyper-feminine norms of Hollywood.


From her dark, whimsical roles in films like Fight Club and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, she embodied a different kind of femininity—one that wasn’t afraid to be messy, emotional, and strange.


Her artistic and aesthetic risk-taking still inspires me today. As a therapist, I often see people struggle with the pressure to fit a mould, and Helena's example reminds me that embracing individuality can be healing and empowering.


I can regularly be heard saying: In a world of Kardashians be more Bonham Carter.


 

Helen Fielding (and Bridget Jones)


Helen Fielding, through her creation of Bridget Jones, gave us a protagonist who was vulnerable, awkward, and entirely relatable.


Bridget’s internal monologue of self-doubt mixed with hope felt like a mirror for so many women grappling with self-image, relationships, and societal expectations. Fielding’s work helped normalise imperfection long before the self-love movement gained traction.


As a therapist, I often recommend narratives like Bridget Jones's Diary to clients struggling with perfectionism and the search for love and self-acceptance.


Fielding’s humour and honesty remind us that growth often comes through embracing our flaws, not erasing them.


 

Alanis Morissette


Then there’s Alanis Morissette—raw, poetic, and emotionally unfiltered.


Her groundbreaking album Jagged Little Pill was a soundtrack for emotional catharsis. Songs like You Oughta Know gave voice to female rage and heartbreak in a way that wasn’t sanitised or palatable, and that was revolutionary.


She taught me that women can be angry, vulnerable, and powerful all at once.


As a therapist, I see how many people, especially women, are conditioned to suppress their anger, viewing it as 'unfeminine' or inappropriate. Alanis challenged that narrative, and her music continues to be a tool I reference for emotional expression and release.


 

The Spice Girls


The Spice Girls were my first introduction to the concept of 'girl power' — and while it may seem cheesy now, their influence was profound.


They showed a generation of girls that strength came in different forms and personalities, and that friendship was a powerful source of empowerment.


What I love most about their legacy is the emphasis on collective strength. As a therapist, I often explore the importance of supportive relationships and how connection can be a vital part of healing and self-discovery.


 

TLC


And then there was TLC.


Their music was bold, vulnerable, and unapologetically real. From No Scrubs to Unpretty, TLC tackled issues like self-worth, body image, and healthy relationships in ways that felt radical at the time.


Left Eye, T-Boz, and Chilli represented a kind of strength that felt raw and authentic—they weren’t afraid to be outspoken or challenge societal norms around beauty and relationships.


The song Unpretty, in particular, was a profound commentary on self-acceptance that still feels relevant today.


TLC’s legacy reminds me to encourage clients to find their voice, even when it feels uncomfortable.


 

Looking back, it’s clear these women weren’t just influential because they were famous—they were influential because they represented something deeper.


They defied stereotypes, challenged emotional norms, and showed me that being strong doesn’t mean being perfect.


These women continue to inspire me because they remain authentic.


In a world that often pressures women to be small, quiet, and perfect, the voices of these women taught me the power of being loud, emotional, unique, and real.


That lesson stays with me in both my life and my practice, reminding me —and my clients— that true strength comes from authenticity, not perfection.

2 views

©  2016 - 2024 Helen Moores, Little Cottage Therapy.  All Rights Reserved.  Please do not take or use any content without citation.  You are required to obtain written permission to republish in full or use more than just a quote.  Please do not reproduce or publish any content on any platform, including social media, without permission or crediting the original source. 

bottom of page