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 post includes spoilers for the Resident Evil franchise.
Claire Redfield
Fast Facts
Claire Redfield grew up under the wing of her brother Chris Redfield. They grew close after losing both of their parents, but they went down separate paths in their adulthood. Claire to college and Chris to the Air Force. While Chris was honing his skills, Claire was learning a set of her own. She took up motorcycle customization and lockpicking. Pretty random hobbies, but they would help her in the future. When Chris joined S.T.A.R.S. and relocated to Racoon City, Claire would visit him. During her time there, he taught her hand to hand combat techniques and how to use firearms.
In September 1998, Claire lost contact with her brother and decided to head to Racoon City to check in on him. On her way into town she stopped at a gas station where she came face to face with zombies. While trying to escape she was saved by Leon S. Kennedy who was heading into town as well. Claire learned that he was heading to the police station as well and decided to travel together. Things were going great until another firey accident separated them. On her own, Claire fought her way through the zombie-infested city and eventually arrived at RPD.
RELATED: Tokyo Game Show: Resident Evil Infinite Darkness Reunites Leon, Claire and Zombies
Claire investigated the police station in search of her brother, but eventually learned he wasn’t there anymore. While trying to find her way out, she comes across the young girl Sherry Birkin. Claire decides to protect her from the zombie outbreak and learns more about what Umbrella Corp has been up to. While investigating the underground laboratory, Claire comes face to face with what the G-Virus can create. Sherry’s own father has infected himself with it in order to protect his life’s work. Claire goes head to head against the monster and comes out on top.
After successfully escaping Racoon City before its destruction, Claire continued the search for her brother and bringing down the Umbrella Corporation. She eventually meets up with Chris again after he saves her in Antarctica. In the years following the incidents in Racoon City and Antarctica, Claire joined up with the human rights organization TerraSave. In 2006 while during work in Penamstan, she came across clues that linked the events of Racoon City to the events during the civil war.
She used her connections to begin her own investigation into linking the US Government to the events in Penamstan. She came into contact with Kennedy during this time and the two separately uncovered a much deeper conspiracy than they ever thought possible. In the end, the two went their separate ways and Claire has made it her life’s mission to bring an end to bio-weapons and the companies behind them.
The Real Deal
Claire Redfield is the real deal. She is a zombie fighting, lock picking, human rights activist with a heart of gold. It was her love for her brother that sent her on the hunt for Chris when he disappeared. But, it was her compassion for humankind though that drove her to continue the fight against Umbrella Corp and bioterrorism. Aside from her ass-kicking skills, Claire has nerves of steel. Need proof of this? She spends her entire time in Racoon City being stalked down by Tyrant. She continues to hone her skills through the years in order to go head to head against bioterrorism.
Why She Matters
Claire Redfield most definitely matters! Survival horror video games tend to be dominated by male characters. But Claire, alongside fellow Resident Evil companion Jill Valentine, gave girls in the 90s a strong female role model to look up to. She isn’t a background character only meant to progress her companion’s story. Claire is strong in her own rights and continues to grow throughout the franchise. She is also an advocate for human rights and does everything in her power to fight for them. She continues to be the role model that everyone needs these days.
So, be like Claire Redfield. Use your compassion to help better our world and stand up for human rights while also remembering to hone those kickass zombie fighting skills.
RELATED: Check out our recaps for Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness!
This article was originally published on 10/13/20
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Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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