A recurring theme in 2015 has been "seeing is believing" — especially for girls.
It's easier to believe you can do something when you've seen someone else do it. That's why no matter how frustrated you get assembling IKEA furniture, you have to believe in those instructions. You saw it put together in the store. You know it can be done!
2015 has been marked with some major "seeing is believing" milestones of its own. From comedy to politics to sports to engineering, many women have taken the status quo and said, "ehhh … let's try it my way instead."
These women are helping to shift perceptions on what women and girls are capable of, and they're inspiring a whole generation while they're at it.
Could she be the next RBG? Maybe! Image of Ginsburg from Steve Petteway/Wikimedia Commons. Image of future-Ginsburg via GoldieBlox/YouTube.
In a new music video, girls step into the shoes of 10 of today's top female role models.
The video comes from popular toy company GoldieBlox and features mini-superstars like Sophia Grace, Heaven King, Jillian from EvanTubeHD, Sam Gordon, RadioJH Audrey, Annie and Hayley from Bratayley, and Flippin' Katie. ‪
Their message is simple: Girls can run on the field and run the world. They can do whatever they want to do. And right now they've got some badass women to show them how.
For instance, in 2015, Viola Davis became the first black woman to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series, showing millions of girls around the world that they could too.
GIF via GoldieBlox/YouTube.
And the on-point message Davis delivered gave when accepting her award says it all:
GIF from "67th Emmy Awards/Fox."
Remember when Misty Copeland became the first ever black principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre this year? Yeah, that was rad.
And now it seems more possible than ever before that any girl, no matter the color of her skin, can be next.
Shattering the ceiling in her ballet shoes. (Hello, Heaven King!) GIF via GoldieBlox/YouTube.
A woman who needs no introduction, Hillary Clinton is no stranger to the spotlight. She shows time and time again that it's cool to stand up for what you believe in and, oh yeah, run for PRESIDENT!
The more girls see that politics isn't just a "boys only" club, the more likely they are to go for it.
We need more amazing lady power suits in office. GIF via GoldieBlox/YouTube.
And let's not forget Amy Schumer, who has proven that you can find hilarious ways to talk about issues that matter, like equal pay and sexual double standards.
Her "Girl, you don't need makeup" sketch was gold.
You can show how smart you are AND be funny. Go get 'em, girls. GIF via GoldieBlox/YouTube.
So many industries today are male-dominated, and the idea that 'you can't be what you can't see' hits home with women of all ages. It's refreshing to see that beginning to change.
How are you supposed to think you can become a female NFL coach if you only see men on the job? A woman named Jenn Welter made it happen this year. Now, who will be the next?
Slowly but surely, the tide is turning.
GoldieBlox and organizations like The Representation Project are helping to make it happen by shining a light on the need for positive women role models in the media and showing that there is more for girls outside of the stereotypical pink aisle at the department store.
It's working. Bring on 2016.
You can watch GoldieBlox's music video celebrating some of this year's women superstars and their mini-me's here: