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. 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 is rife with spoilers galore for Netflix’s GLOW. If you’re not caught up with the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, you may want to remedy that now. You’ve been warned.
Debbie Eagan
Fast Facts:
Now, Debbie Eagan (portrayed by Betty Gilpin) is an actress, and was the star of famed soap opera Paradise Cove. She’s married to Mark Eagan (Rich Sommer), but the two are currently separated since the latter had an affair with Debbie’s best friend Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie). Debbie has a young son named Randy, who’s just under a year old. She joined the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, directed by Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron) and produced by Bash Howard (Chris Lowell), upon discovery of the aforementioned affair. Debbie wrestles under the name Liberty Belle and is the show’s shining star.
Next, in Season 2, Debbie strove for more work behind the scenes as a producer. Naturally, since it’s the 1980s, Debbie had to fight tooth and nail to even snag the title of producer, let alone the work that comes in tow. However, alongside Sam and Bash, Debbie reigned victorious. Debbie and Ruth also started to mend fences in Season 2, albeit slowly.
Then, the GLOW gang headed to Las Vegas for a prolonged stint in Season 3. Debbie suffered separation anxiety from her young son. She discovered via her estranged husband that Randy took his first tenuous steps. Debbie also found her power as a producer being usurped by Bash. Feeling powerless and suffering from a lack of body confidence, Debbie started forcing herself to throw up on a regular basis.
Later, while in Vegas, she began dating a millionaire named J.J. McCready (Toby Huss). He would inadvertently belittle her intelligence and refused to take her advice on a particular business deal. Thus, Debbie teamed up with Bash to pull the rug from under J.J. By the end of Season 3, Debbie proudly owned a TV network. Her hope is to change the playing field in the entertainment industry for women.
The Real Deal:
Now, Debbie is the real deal. She doesn’t take s**t from anyone, male or female. We see her incessantly butting heads with the men in this series but, time and time again, she rises victorious. Debbie doesn’t allow her gender to define her status in life. Not only that, but she is immensely loyal. If you’re loyal to her, she’ll return the act in kind.
In addition, Debbie is incredibly intelligent, especially when it comes to business acumen. She’s often underestimated due to her “Barbie” appearance and her profession as an actress, but Debbie has so much more to offer than her good looks. Debbie possesses an unrivaled snarky wit – you can count on her to dole out cutting one-liners in any scene. When Bash confided in her regarding his sexuality by the tail end of Season 3, Debbie swore to keep his secret. Not only that, she was supportive and tolerant, even initially encouraging him to explore his feelings. However, Debbie is also respectful of other people’s decisions, despite not feeling like she autonomy over her own.
Why She Matters:
Alright, why does she matter? Debbie Eagan is, to me, what feminism is all about. She’s not asking for superiority, she’s just asking for equality. Debbie longs for a seat at the predominately male table. That’s all. Of course, this is during a time when men still held the reins in just about every field. Today, women still struggle for equality, but if Debbie were a real person she’d be considered a trailblazer of the entertainment industry. She doesn’t take no for an answer. If she falters, she licks her wounds and gets back up again. That, my friends, is something to admire. Debbie goes big or goes home as far as her aspirations are concerned. If we get a Season 4 of GLOW, I can’t wait to see what she can do with her own TV network at her disposal.
So, be like Debbie. Don’t let anyone underestimate you. Fight for what you want. Stand up for those that can’t stand up for themselves. Show the naysayers who’s boss. Always keep your snarky wits about you. Oh, and have the biggest hairdo possible. You know what they say – the bigger the hair, the closer to God.
RELATED: Read our GLOW coverage here!
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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