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 youth to have said example to follow.

DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso.

Rebecca Welton

Fast Facts:

A still from Ted Lasso of Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) smiliing. She is seated at a desk in a high white chair and wearing a navy blue dress

Hannah Waddingham in “Ted Lasso” season two.

Rebecca Welton’s (Hannah Waddingham) introduction is complicated: her first scene (The first scene of the entire show!) is her taking the Richmond Football Club reins after separating from her cheating husband and kicking their misogynist former coach to the curb. By the end of the episode, however, she’s established squarely as a villain. She only brought Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) on to destroy the only thing her ex ever truly loved by humiliating Richmond.

But of course, Rebecca comes around. Underneath her prickly “villainous” exterior is an empathetic and sincere person. In one of the first season’s most touching moments, she helps and comforts Ted as he has an anxiety attack. Eventually, she grows enough to realize she’s doing the wrong thing, apologizes to Ted for the harm she’s done and becomes Richmond’s number-one fan.

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In Season 2, Rebecca genuinely befriends multiple members of the Richmond team and even starts dating again. She puts herself out there on a dating app and allows herself to be vulnerable, even when the man she was talking to turns out to be Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh). We love her the most when she comes out of her shell.

The Real Deal:

Rebecca Welton is the real deal. She’s first and foremost a literal boss, overseeing Richmond with both might and heart (once she stops trying to sabotage them). While it’s hard to be entirely on her side early on, it’s also not hard to root for what she’s ultimately trying to accomplish: revenge against her horrible ex. We watch Rebecca grow over time. She even goes from insulting her one-time minion, Higgins (Jeremy Swift), to genuinely becoming his friend. Rebecca also sincerely apologizes to those she’s hurt without minimizing the damages she may have caused.

Her friendship with Keeley (Juno Temple) is beautifully realized, too, something I’m sure she never thought was possible, even though Keeley’s first reaction to her is “That Rebecca is an intimidating, very tall woman.” Throughout season two, they grow close enough for Rebecca to realize when it’s time to let Keeley move on to another job rather than just keeping her friend nearby.

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Rebecca is also incredibly generous. She distributes Christmas gifts to children in need and takes good care of her friends. She helps Nate improve his confidence by showing him the terrifying giant bird maneuver she uses to psych herself up. Rebecca is willing to go above and beyond for those she cares about.

Why She Matters:

Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple and Ellie Taylor in Ted Lasso. All three are dressed in black, near church pews and laughing

Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple and Ellie Taylor in “Ted Lasso” season two.

Why does Rebecca matter? There’s so much more to her than just a powerful wardrobe and an impressive job. While she starts as a bit of an ice queen, that’s not where she ends up. She grows to have friends and romance, and she sings a mean “Let It Go” from Frozen

Rebecca defies the traditional career woman stereotype we so often see; she has both a career she loves and growing happiness. She gives viewers a new take on what it means to be a strong woman. To show a woman on tv with power who is thriving in several areas of her personal life is refreshing. 

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So, be like Rebecca Welton. Stand up for yourself, but admit your wrong decisions and choose to do better. I can’t wait to see where Rebecca’s story and growth go in Ted Lasso Season 3.

Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: KEELEY JONES