Here's Why 'Legally Blonde' Awakened The Feminist In Me

It may be 2017, but the world could do with a little reminder of some things we learned in 2001.

Legally Blonde is the feminist movie of our generation, no questions asked. And the best part about it is that it's still so relevant. We quote it, we watch it, and we gif the hell out of it. It's like Mean Girls, only the message is one of legitimate female empowerment.

Elle Woods taught us many things, but one of the most consistent lessons of Legally Blonde is not to let other people define your limits or cap your potential. When Elle tells everyone she's going to Harvard Law School, they all edge her away from the decision. But she works her butt off for the LSATs (who can forget her screaming "179!"?) and gets accepted, because hell yeah feminism.

This trend continues when Warner tells Elle there's no chance she will be selected as one of the first year law students for a prestigious internship with a fellowship, but guess what? She gets it. Because feminism.

Another important lesson from Legally Blonde is to move through obstacles, rather than letting them dispirit you. This is especially relevant for women in the workplace, when sexual harassment and discrimination is often rampant. 

When Professor Callahan hits on Elle in his office, she has a choice: she can either drop the internship and run away, or she can tell him to buzz off and move forward regardless. And so she does, with the help of mega-hunk-lawyer-to-be Luke Wilson, and in trusting her gut she is able to take on the trial of the century.

To be fair, in real life sexual harassment can often be totally out of your control, and plenty of women have to leave jobs not because they're "giving up," but because it's for their safety. But to that, Elle would encourage them to leave and get another job in any place where they feel safe and successful. Just look at her best friend who works in a nail salon. Elle doesn't judge or discriminate based off of profession, because feminism.

The last message Legally Blonde can impart upon us even in 2017 is that of women supporting other women. Elle supports her best friend Paulette and helps her get her dog back from her ex. What's more, she chooses to trust the defendant Brooke Taylor Windham rather than judge her based off of common perception. The lesson here? When women help other women, good things happen.

The lesson from Reese Witherspoon? All of the best feminist messages will stand the test of time. 

Also, come on. The bend and snap is the best dance move of all time.