September's Top 10: Warrior Women

Ever since I can remember I've had a huge fascination for strong and brave women of all kinds. Take that as you will. Here are my top 10 warrior women:



10. it's a tie: a)Hua Mulan: Is an old Chinese tale about a woman who dresses as a man to fight in the war. it's a classic theme that's inspired many other similar stories over the years. b) Oya-Yansan: is an Orisha in yoruba mythology. She is the warrior-goddess of wind, lightning, fire and magic, who creates hurricanes and tornadoes and guards the underworld. She is also called "the one who grows a beard to go to war".



9. Xena: 2 words - Warrior Princess.



8. Boudicca/Boadicea: defended her land against the Romans, who didn't recognize women as heirs, in a mixture of justice and revenge. Who cares if she failed in the end. She fought, and that's what matters.

7. Ellen Ripley: She's frekin' badass, and she kills aliens. And she's #8 top heroes of al time.



6. Éowyn: When she confronted the Witch-king in the Lord of the Rings, he boasted that "no living man may hinder me," referring to the 1,000-year-old prophecy. Éowyn then removed her helmet, exposing her long blond hair and declared, before slaying him: "No living man am I! You look upon a woman."



5. The Amazons: the mythical nation of all-female warriors, who cut off their right breast to better use a bow and arrow. they had to be included in this list just for their sheer staying power in popular culture.



4. THE BRIDE/Beatrix Kiddo: Thankfully Chris reminded me of her after the first version of this list! Yes, she punches her way out of a freakin' coffin. And she made her big toe move and killed Bill and GOT HER REVENGE.



3. She-ra: PRINCESS OF POWER!!!



2. Buffy: yes, the vampire slayer. I think only the people who watched the whole series will understand this one. I should really say the no. 2 spot goes to the Buffy and Willow team. There you go.



1. Ayla: I don't think too many people will know this one, but Ayla is the main character in the clan of the cave bear, played by Daryl Hannah (who is awesome) in the 1986 movie. unfortunately I haven't read the book, and I can't even say if the movie is good or not, but Ayla is a character that really made an impression on me as I was growing up.

5-year-old orphaned Ayla wanders through the forest completely alone. Cold, hungry, and badly injured by a cave lion, she is discovered by the Clan of the Cave Bear. Alya is made part of the Clan, but her way of thinking is not the Clan way. She is constantly learning, and thinking for herself.