Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for young girls to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Eureka, a science-fiction SyFy show that aired from 2006 to 2012.
Dr. Allison Blake
Fast Facts:
Dr. Allison Blake (portrayed by Salli Richardson-Whitfield) is a medical doctor that holds multiple PhDs and helps run a secret government scientific research town. While caring for two children of her own as a single mother, Dr. Blake also runs Global Dynamics, the big government research facility that sits on the edge of the town of Eureka (somewhere in the Pacific northwest). She has also held the positions of liaison between the Department of Defense and Global Dynamics as well as the head of the Global Dynamics medical division.
The Real Deal
Dr. Blake goes through a lot during the five seasons of Eureka. She keeps her cool during epidemics, AI malfunctions, attempted sabotage attempts, and unexpected time travel events. Not to mention having her brain hijacked more than once! No matter what catastrophic event comes through the little scientific town of Eureka, whether from treasonous DOD employees or unexpected lab accidents, Dr. Blake keeps a level head. She also manages to keep her position as head of Global Dynamics while pregnant.
Her position as a single mother is just a side note, but it is also important. Dr. Blake is a very loving mother and fate left her on her own. She is twice widowed, with the second loss being the result of an incident at Global Dynamics. Through this adversity, she never quits. Instead, she uses the hand dealt to her as inspiration, pushing her to succeed to set an example for her daughter.
Why She Matters
In the world of sci-fi, having female scientists isn’t very common, unless they are the nerdy stereotype. There is also the fact that when women are in charge, they are either the management-track type that have no science background, or they are the “bad guy” working to defund or steal a project. In Eureka, Dr. Blake is a powerful leader and an intelligent woman. She approaches every situation with a logical mind, able to apply quick deduction and call on a combination of her education and collaborate with her expert colleagues to find a solution.
Dr. Blake is a fantastic role model as is, but adding in the fact that she leads the most powerful company in the world while pregnant? The shattered glass ceiling may be fictional, but this fact leaves an imprint on the science fiction genre and gives an example to young women everywhere that they can be smart, they can be in charge, and they can have family – they can have it all, if they want it. This is why Dr. Allison Blake makes is Geek Girl Authority’s Crush of the Week.
Be like Dr. Blake. Chase your dreams and don’t let the adversity knock you down for long. Get back up and break barriers. Keep moving and do what you can with what you have. Use everything you have available and set a good example for those around you.
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