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. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.

DISCLAIMER: The following article contains spoilers for Amazon Prime Video’s Paper Girls.

RELATED: Keep up on Paper Girls with our recaps!

KJ Brandman

Fast Facts:

Paper Girls. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video.

KJ Brandman (Fina Strazza) is one-quarter of the Paper Girls crew. In the early morning hours of November 1, 1988, Mac (Sofia Rosinsky), Erin (Riley Lai Nelet) and Tiff (Camryn Jones) helped KJ get away from some punk teenagers. The group then decides it might be safer to work together and head off to deliver the papers. But this morning is proving to be anything but ordinary. Soon KJ and the others are forced on a time-traveling adventure that drops them into 2019.

KJ and the other girls work alongside an older Erin (Ali Wong) to try and find a way back to their time. During her time in 2019, KJ learns more about herself and the others. Her relationship with Mac is strained, at best, thanks to Mac’s antisemitic comments and feelings. But KJ continues to try and educate and correct Mac’s behavior. When they find an unlikely ally in Larry (Nate Corddry), who agrees to take them back to 1988, KJ refuses to leave without Mac and even goes out to find her.

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But Larry was a liar, and KJ and the others are dropped into 1999. Here, KJ sees her future self (Delia Cunningham) but doesn’t make a move to try to meet her. Instead, she keeps an eye on her from afar and tries to figure out if she has become the woman her mother always wanted or if she has broken the mold. Spoiler alert – she broke the mold. Older KJ is pursuing a career in film and in a healthy relationship with a fellow student Lauren (Maren Lord). At the end of season one, we watch as KJ and Mac are sent off to a time, separated from Erin and Tiff.

The Real Deal:

KJ Brandman is the real deal. Seriously. Paper Girls has some tremendous female-centric representation, and KJ is one major part of it. When we are first introduced to her, Mac makes quite a few comments about how KJ comes from a wealthy family and has everything handed to her on a silver platter. But it becomes clear that KJ wants more than the life laid out for her. She works hard, stands up for those around her and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

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KJ also provides a voice to the LGBTQIA+ community and the Jewish community. Most of the comments Mac makes against her tend to come from an antisemitic stance. We hear her spout about “those people” taking jobs and “those people” controlling the banks. KJ takes things in stride until she eventually puts Mac in her place. She isn’t outright mean to her or “freaks out” (which would have been totally acceptable) but educates. KJ tells her how she can’t talk like that and to be a better person.

Why She Matters:

KJ standing in the movie theater trying to buy a ticket.

Paper Girls. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video.

So why does KJ Brandman matter? Aside from being a beautiful representation for the Jewish, LGBTQIA+ and young people everywhere, she is a truly remarkable character. Paper Girls has proven that an entirely female main cast can do more than “carry” a sci-fi series. They can make it unique, elevate it and give us something so incredible it will have us thinking about it for countless hours afterward. KJ is an intricate part of this story and will continue to be in future seasons.

So, be like KJ Brandham. Be tough, break the mold, educate your friends and others when they are being hurtful and be exactly who you want to be.

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

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