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 kids to have said example to follow.

DISCLAIMER: The following is rife with spoilers galore for Amazon Prime’s The Expanse. If you’re not already caught up with this sci-fi critical darling, I suggest you remedy that now. Just ask any Screaming Firehawk!

Dr. Elvi Okoye

Fast Facts:

Steven Strait as James Holden and Lyndie Greenwood as Dr. Elvi Okoye in The Expanse.

Pictured: Steven Strait and Lyndie Greenwood

Now, Dr. Elvi Okoye (Lyndie Greenwood) is a biologist who hails from Earth. She attended undergraduate university in Nigeria. Okoye’s most noted academic achievement is her invention of real paper on cytoplasmic computation. She was aboard the expedition ship heading for New Terra courtesy of the Edward Israel when it crashed. Adolphus Murtry (Burn Gorman) and her partner Fayez Sarkis (Zach Smadu) were also with her. 

Next, Okoye met James Holden (Steven Strait) and the Rocinante crew shortly after their arrival. That’s when peculiar phenomena began occurring in spurts, starting with a horde of metallic insects. In addition, massive earthquakes rocked the planet. Lastly, an apocalyptic, tsunami-like flood ensnared everyone within an ancient mountain. Of course, this was all thanks to the protomolecule, or rather the Investigator (Thomas Jane) trying to break free of the aforementioned’s hold. 

Then, Okoye created a cure for a disease that caused blindness in everyone save Holden. She utilized his cancer drugs as the basis for the remedy, as they kept him immune from said disease. Lastly, she met Joe Miller (Jane) while he was projecting himself into inanimate objects and saved the planet by essentially killing him. After her heroic act, New Terra stopped violently reacting to humanity’s presence on its surface. 

The Real Deal:

Now, Okoye is the real deal. Firstly, she’s immensely resourceful. She crafted a cure for a disease with very few resources at her disposal. Granted, The Expanse is set hundreds of years into the future wherein technology has well surpassed our own, but still. There were limits, and Okoye worked around them while she herself was temporarily blind. Not to mention, her intellect is off the charts. She’s filled to the brim with curiosity, and her desire for knowledge is unparalleled. Okoye is also resilient and selfless – this was apparent when she nearly died trying to save New Terra and everyone on it. 

Why She Matters:

Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, and Lyndie Greenwood in The Expanse Season 4.

Pictured (L to R): Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper and Lyndie Greenwood

Alright, why does she matter? Okoye is a biologist with quite a few accomplishments in her arsenal. She’s also a woman of color working in a field normally dominated by men. That alone is fuel for inspiration and a motivator to fulfill our own aspirations. Not to mention, her courage in the face of imminent danger is more than admirable. We should all strive to be as courageous as Okoye. Her strengths may not lie in physical prowess, but her intellect is sharp as a whip with a moral compass to match. She’s strong in her own way. 

So, be like Elvi Okoye. Stand strong in the face of adversity. Put that whip-smart intellect to good use. Always be curious of the world around you. Never stop learning. Oh, and steer clear of metallic insects. Those buggers are not to be trifled with.

RELATED: Looking for another strong female crush? Check out our Geek Girl Authority Crushes of the Week here!

RELATED: Read all of our THE EXPANSE recaps here!

 

 

 

 

 

Melody McCune
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