For seven seasons, the Pawnee Parks Department inParks and Recreationcentered women in government and business in a balanced way. Some characters were more fallible than others, but the message was to uplift women of every background. Leslie Knope is a prime example of a loving and supportive friend who cares too much. Donna Meagle lives for the best life has to offer and doesn’t make herself small for anyone. Ann brings a solid perspective to friendship and standing up for yourself. April might be broody, but behind her mask is a person who deeply cares for animals and knows what she wants.
The women in Pawnee are crucial to the town’s growth and prosperity. Yet some of the women are meant to be fallible, so others can grow. In essence, iron sharpens iron. For example, local reporters and CEOs are mostly women and sometimes aren’t the most supportive of other women. However, each woman, regardless of how they show up for other women in the show, is multifaceted and realistic. Feminism is a force of nature, but it becomes stronger when men show up for women’s progress.Parks and Recreationcenters on women and men who support each other in their goals, regardless of the binder’s thickness. Here’s every time the show empowered women.
15Donna and Tom’s Lap of Luxury
Self-care in and of itself is a great concept, with publications likeHealthy Womendiscussing budget-friendly options. Donna and Tom onParks and Recreationtook self-care to a whole new level: the duo has an annual Treat Yo Self day during which they encourage each other to indulge in whatever they want to feel empowered. Every Donna needs a Tom who encourages them to get a full spa treatment every once in a while.
14Leslie’s Affirmations to Ann
The Seattle Times reports that friendships between women are said to reduce stress and offer a protective barrier to the world across income, age, and ethnicity. OnParks and Recreation, fans saw what science has confirmed through Leslie and Ann’s friendship. Leslie’s passion overflows into every facet of her life, especially her friendship with Ann, whom she affirms with phrases like “beautiful rule-breaking moth” or “poetic and noble land-mermaid.”
13Ann Bonding with Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa Saperstein (played by Jenny Slate) may be the human incarnate of a tornado, but she provides necessary chaos toParks and Recreation. When Mona Lisa and Tom begin dating, he is quickly overwhelmed by her excessive energy, and recruits Ann to help him break up with her. Ann and Mona Lisa bond over Tom’s weird habits, and Ann convinces her new friend that she deserves better. Sometimes, all a woman needs is a friend to tell her that she deserves better.
Related:Parks and Recreation: Best Cold Opens in the Series, Ranked
12Sweetums New CEO
Pawnee is home to plenty of small businesses, but one of the biggest, and most problematic, is Sweetums. When Nick Newport Jr. passes away, his wife Jessica becomes CEO. Jessica is a former pageant winner, but she knows how to use PR to her advantage. She hires Ben to help donate much of the fortune she inherited to charities around the world. In fact, PR News Wire explains that when women are CEOS change quickly follows and strengthens a business.
11Donna and Ann at Speed Dating
Ann had been in a relationship with Andy for quite a long time, and when they broke up, she got back into the dating world. But when Andy and April decide to get married, Ann goes to a speed dating event where she sees Donna (Retta). However, Donna is reluctant to help Ann as she is on the prowl and quickly gives Ann dating advice. When women get out of a relationship, it’s important to have friends who can help them get back out there.
10Pawnee Goddesses
Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman)leads the Pawnee Rangers, a troupe of boys who learn outdoor skills. Leslie leads a local troupe as well, called the Pawnee Goddesses. This group learns the value of camaraderie among women through group activities like scrapbooking and making s’mores. Even though many of the Rangers join the Goddesses, Leslie makes a new group for Ron to lead: The Swansons. In this instance, everyone wins and has the space to be empowered.
9Ben Uplifting April
After running a successful campaign for Leslie, Ben Wyatt is hired to run a congressional campaign in Washington. Soon into his new position, April makes a series of cartoons that mock Ben. He reveals that he believes April has more to offer the world and that he wants to see her succeed. Mentorships benefit women in a multitude of ways beyond the workplace, which is what Ben does for April.
8Miss Pawnee Pageant
Even though Leslie is staunchly against women being judged for the sake of their looks, she is invited to judge the Miss Pawnee pageant. Her fellow judges choose Trish, a young woman who doesn’t answer thoughtful questions, but is a good look for Miss Pawnee. When Trish is crowned Miss Pawnee, Leslie chooses to uplift a fellow contestant who gives soulful answers and plays the piano for her talent.
7Ron’s Love for Tough Women
Ron loves a variety of things: Lagavulin, steak, the outdoors, silence, and tough women. His first wife, Tammy, prioritizes proper manners above all else. Whereas his second wife, whom he calls Tammy II (Megan Mullally), is a librarian who likes to mess with Ron. His third wife, Diane, is a middle school vice principal who terrifies Tammy II. Each of Ron’s wives has one thing in common: they are all tough.
6Pawnee Journalists
Shauna Malwae Tweep is a journalist for The Pawnee Journal who tells the truth in her reporting. She is often interviewing the Parks employees and giving them good press. Whereas Joan Calamezzo, the host of the TV show Pawnee Today, looks for any mess up from Leslie or the Parks department to exploit for ratings. While the two women show opposite sides of journalism, both women are in prominent positions in Pawnee journalism.
