- Seat belts, everyone!
- [Narrator] The '90s and 2000s gave us
some seriously iconic female characters.
How have they shaped our childhoods?
What messages did they send us?
Let's find out!
- That's it, I'm done helping you!
From now on you're on your own!
(ice crackling) (water splashing)
(Sokka gasping) (Katara gasping)
(ice crackling)
(both yelping) (water roaring)
- [Narrator] "Avatar: The Last Airbender"
showed us that girls were just as powerful
and important as boys.
The epic TV show had many strong dynamic female characters,
but no one stole our hearts more
than the pint-sized powerhouse Toph
and the marvelous, multifaceted Katara.
(peaceful music)
(foot stomping)
(water splashing)
(both sighing) (steam hissing)
- In five,
four,
three, (audience laughing)
two!
- I'm Carly!
- I'm on parole!
- [Both] And this is "iCarly!"
- [Narrator] One of the funniest live-action shows
on Nickelodeon's 2000s lineup was "iCarly,"
which featured the dynamic duo
of Carly Shay and Sam Puckett.
The two used wit and brains to get laughs, outsmart bullies,
and make anything they touch on the web wildly popular.
- Look, see the view count?
Only 27 people have clicked on it.
- Oh (sighing).
Okay, good.
Sam?
- Yeah?
- That's 27,000!
(audience laughing) (energetic rock music)
♪ Cruisin' on down Main Street ♪
♪ You're relaxed and feelin' good ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
- [Narrator] Ms. Frizzle was the redheaded
wonder teacher we all deserved.
From inside the human body to outer space,
The Friz and Liz took us on Magic School Bus field trips
that taught us about the universe and our place in it.
- As I always say, class, you're out of this world!
(all laughing) (playful music)
- [Narrator] Not all female icons
are shining examples of good behavior.
Some of them taught us through their actions what not to do.
Angelica Pickles, for example,
was the original bad girl of "Rugrats."
- Listen up, babies!
I'm supposed to ride in my own parade on a float
with lots of pink tarnations and ponies
and you better not mess it up for me!
- [Narrator] Throughout the series of TV shows and movies,
Angelica was famous as the brat
that kept the babies on their toes.
- Binky?
I don't get to squeeze no ones head or pull no one's hair?
- [Narrator] But she would always stand up for them
when it counted.
- Listen, lady, nobody messes with my dumb babies 'cept me!
(Coco grunting)
- [Narrator] On the live-action side of things,
we had role models like Moesha Mitchell.
Played by Brandy, Moesha went through challenges
and triumphs similar to real-life girls her age,
and always did it with style, courage, and heart.
- [Moesha] I never thought about Aaron
having other partners.
I never even thought about him having sex.
And as much as I thought I wanted to be with him,
the truth is I just wasn't ready.
And you know what?
There's no rush.
- Quick, put some on me!
(audience laughing)
- Speaking of '90s style, Tia and Tamera Mowry
were always on point in their show, "Sister, Sister."
- [Both] Hi!
- Cover us, Dad, we're goin' in!
- Come on! - Come on, guys!
- [Narrator] They and their blended family
showed us that the power of sisterhood was vital
and that you can accomplish so much
with teamwork and a sense of humor.
♪ Hey, Mom ♪
♪ We're home, we're home ♪
♪ We're H-O-M-E home ♪
♪ Our room, our room ♪
♪ We're goin' to our room ♪
♪ The stairs, the stairs ♪
♪ We're gonna take the stairs ♪
- [Narrator] If you were an angsty indie kid in the 2010s,
you could probably relate to Sam.
Sam marched to the beat of her own drum,
but showed off her vulnerable side too.
- But now I feel like
I have a chance, like I,
I could even get into a real college!
- Well, it's true, you can do it.
- Guys, 1210.
- [Narrator] Her character showed us
that people with traumatic pasts also deserve
lives filled with joy, friendship, and respect.
- Turn it up!
♪ Forever and ever ♪
- Got it, Your Highness.
(upbeat rock music)
♪ Oh, we can be heroes ♪
- [Narrator] What female icons shaped your life?
♪ Just for one day ♪
Let us know your faves in the comments below.