--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At first, being a female role model…" description: "\"At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. I get a lot of letters from women who tell me ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/lucy-lawless-19872_abusive_at-first-being-a-female-role-model-reall_2177179.jpg" --- # At first, being a female role model really terrified me… ![“At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. I get a lot of letters from women who tell me that, after watching Xena, they have bought the Harley-Davidson they always wanted or left an abusive relationship.” quote by Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/lucy-lawless-19872_abusive_at-first-being-a-female-role-model-reall_2177179.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/lucy-lawless-19872_abusive_at-first-being-a-female-role-model-reall_2177179.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/lucy-lawless-19872_abusive_at-first-being-a-female-role-model-reall_2177179.jpg) > “At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. I get a lot of letters from women who tell me that, after watching Xena, they have bought the Harley-Davidson they always wanted or left an abusive relationship.” [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a female role model was initially frightening, but it has empowered many women to pursue dreams and escape abuse. **In simple terms:** Role models inspire change and courage. Key Takeaway Embrace influence to uplift others. Themes role model empowerment gender media influence Mood inspirational hopeful Type narrative motivational When to use this quote - television - fan letters - support groups - personal transformation Key Concepts social impact personal agency Questions to Reflect On - How can role models support diverse audiences? - What responsibilities come with public influence? A Different Perspective Not all audiences respond positively; some may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abusive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abusive/) [Abusive relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abusive-relationship/) [Awful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awful/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Female](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female/) [Female Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-role-595575/) [Female Role Model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-role-model-213726/) [Female role models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-role-models-63034/) [Female roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-roles/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Harley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harley/) [Harley davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harley-davidson/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Letters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letters/) [Model Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/model-really-1282449/) [Models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/models/) [Role model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-model/) [Role models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-models/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Terrified](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrified/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Watching Xena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-xena-4686766/) [Xena Bought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/xena-bought-4686765/) ## Related quotes > [“I want to set the example my mother set for me: a strong female role model who faces challenges takes risks and conquers fears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mireya-mayor/i-want-to-set-the-example-my-mother-set-for-me-a-strong-female-role/) [Mireya Mayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mireya-mayor/) > [I had female role models to look up to starting in middle school, athletes like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm who made me realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/i-had-female-role-models-to-look-up-to-starting-in-middle-school/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [The Blood She Betrayed is unique, and Shahkara, the character, is one of the most engaging strong female role models I’ve seen in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-smith-2/the-blood-she-betrayed-is-unique-and-shahkara-the-character-is-one-of/) [L. J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-smith-2/) > [There's no shortage of female role models. They're everywhere - in history, in literature, in the news. Just look around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keri-russell/there-s-no-shortage-of-female-role-models-they-re-everywhere-in/) [Keri Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keri-russell/) > [“If you must have a female role model, may I recommend Katherine Hepburn or Angelina Jolie: lots of pants, lots of attitude, no jewelry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leddick/if-you-must-have-a-female-role-model-may-i-recommend-katherine/) [David Leddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leddick/) > [It's important to be a positive female role model in a world with a lot of Kardashians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mendoza/it-s-important-to-be-a-positive-female-role-model-in-a-world-with-a/) [Jessica Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-mendoza/) > [I don't think there's anything that is a greater area of discrimination against women today than the fact that nowhere in the world is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-don-t-think-there-s-anything-that-is-a-greater-area-of/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When you've played Buffy - who's such a strong female role model - it's really hard for another female character to compare to her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-michelle-gellar/when-you-ve-played-buffy-who-s-such-a-strong-female-role-model-it-s/) [Sarah Michelle Gellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-michelle-gellar/) > [I never wanted to model myself on a female singer, which tells you a lot about my character. I didn't have a female role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/i-never-wanted-to-model-myself-on-a-female-singer-which-tells-you-a/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [But it is Bella, not the supernaturals she falls in with, who is the true horror show here, at least as a female role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-orenstein/but-it-is-bella-not-the-supernaturals-she-falls-in-with-who-is-the/) [Peggy Orenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-orenstein/) > [I've always only wanted to model. It really is the only life I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-butcher/i-ve-always-only-wanted-to-model-it-really-is-the-only-life-i-want/) [Paige Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-butcher/) > [So many girls trying to be models, like, 'Oh my god, I want to be a model!' Nobody really knows the reality of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olga-fonda/so-many-girls-trying-to-be-models-like-oh-my-god-i-want-to-be-a-model/) [Olga Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olga-fonda/) > [As a model, I really stand for not being a model, if that makes sense,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-delevingne/as-a-model-i-really-stand-for-not-being-a-model-if-that-makes-sense-2/) [Cara Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-delevingne/) > [As a model, I really stand for not being a model, if that makes sense. When I started, the whole idea of the model…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-delevingne/as-a-model-i-really-stand-for-not-being-a-model-if-that-makes-sense/) [Cara Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-delevingne/) > [When I was little, I never wanted to be a model or really thought of doing this job. I'm from a small city, Yongzhou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-wen/when-i-was-little-i-never-wanted-to-be-a-model-or-really-thought-of/) [Liu Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-wen/) ## More by Lucy Lawless > [I am waiting for a sign that will indicate to me what meaning I must give to my life, but right now my existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-am-waiting-for-a-sign-that-will-indicate-to-me-what-meaning-i-must/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [It's never very useful to see your character as a villain. You have to play them the way they see themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/it-s-never-very-useful-to-see-your-character-as-a-villain-you-have-to/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [I am not intimidating. I am a woman's woman. I love hanging out with women. And people are really inspired by this show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-am-not-intimidating-i-am-a-woman-s-woman-i-love-hanging-out-with/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [My plan is to shock people with what I can do, because I've got a few sides to me that I've never used on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/my-plan-is-to-shock-people-with-what-i-can-do-because-i-ve-got-a-few/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [For the first time in my life, I put my body and reputation on the line to stand up for my beliefs and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/for-the-first-time-in-my-life-i-put-my-body-and-reputation-on-the/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [I think the people running climate change denial campaigns are sociopaths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-think-the-people-running-climate-change-denial-campaigns-are/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [I get to do all these really nice, little culty things. It seems to be the world that keeps inviting me back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-get-to-do-all-these-really-nice-little-culty-things-it-seems-to-be/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [Some people think that acting's about being somebody else and I don't. I think this is how I would be given the same circumstances.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/some-people-think-that-acting-s-about-being-somebody-else-and-i-don-t/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [Who I think is actually doing great things for the appearance of women is that Kardashian girl. Kim Kardashian is giving an alternative. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/who-i-think-is-actually-doing-great-things-for-the-appearance-of/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [Now it wasn't just that Xena was bisexual and kinda liked her gal pal and they kind of fooled around sometimes, it was, 'Nope,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/now-it-wasn-t-just-that-xena-was-bisexual-and-kinda-liked-her-gal-pal/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [I'm a bloody fun-seeker. Whatever the role is, I'll find a way to deliver the line that is confounding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-m-a-bloody-fun-seeker-whatever-the-role-is-i-ll-find-a-way-to/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [I'm not someone who ever enjoys violence against women or children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-m-not-someone-who-ever-enjoys-violence-against-women-or-children/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [Up until I came here this week, and I met so many women and young girls who feel, to use their word - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/up-until-i-came-here-this-week-and-i-met-so-many-women-and-young/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [When you decide to become an opera singer, it's a commitment that allows nothing else to interfere. Even your family - and I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/when-you-decide-to-become-an-opera-singer-it-s-a-commitment-that/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [We actually did quite a lot of comedy on 'Xena'. The whole show was very tongue-in-cheek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/we-actually-did-quite-a-lot-of-comedy-on-xena-the-whole-show-was-very/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) [Explore all 32 Lucy Lawless quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) ## More Abusive quotes > [“God, I was a mess when it came to Derrek. One part relief that I wasn’t still with him. One part embarrassment that I’d…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-higginson/god-i-was-a-mess-when-it-came-to-derrek-one-part-relief-that-i-wasn-t/) [Rachel Higginson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-higginson/) > [What good is talking if neither of you are really committed? If one of you had an affair or got addicted to drugs or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-good-is-talking-if-neither-of-you-are-really-committed-if-one-of/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [One of the things we're all going to have to discover, establishment is just an abusive term for institutions. It's institutions that keep us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/one-of-the-things-we-re-all-going-to-have-to-discover-establishment/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [An abusive relationship? A cheating Ex Partner? Family who constantly disrespect you? Those are just a few examples of bridges that should rightly be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-abusive-relationship-a-cheating-ex-partner-family-who-constantly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have a temper, but I wouldn't call me abusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatum-o-neal/i-have-a-temper-but-i-wouldn-t-call-me-abusive/) [Tatum O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatum-o-neal/) > [I wouldn't mind being in an abusive relationship with you babes only if you would punch me with her tits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/i-wouldn-t-mind-being-in-an-abusive-relationship-with-you-babes-only/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“The woman knows from living with the abusive man that there are no simple answers. Friends say: “He’s mean.” But she knows many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-woman-knows-from-living-with-the-abusive-man-that-there-are-no/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [I am asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorneys general to expand our investigations into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-am-asking-my-attorney-general-to-create-a-special-unit-of-federal/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Intolerance has always been one of the cornerstones of Christianity - the glorious heritage of the Inquisition. It's no coincidence that most of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/intolerance-has-always-been-one-of-the-cornerstones-of-christianity/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [“Dr. Lois Jolyon West was cleared at Top Secret for his work on MKULTRA. West's numerous connections to the mind control network illustrate how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-a-ross/dr-lois-jolyon-west-was-cleared-at-top-secret-for-his-work-on-mkultra/) [Colin A. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-a-ross/) > [My father was actually controlling and abusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vidya-vox/my-father-was-actually-controlling-and-abusive/) [Vidya Vox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vidya-vox/) > [With someone who is genuinely abusive or a bad person, you should just get out of town. But if they're being the best person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-hefner/with-someone-who-is-genuinely-abusive-or-a-bad-person-you-should-just/) [Christie Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-hefner/) > [This new world was a vicious, sleek world made of street lights and tight jeans, sharp smiles and fast cars. This was a city,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/this-new-world-was-a-vicious-sleek-world-made-of-street-lights-and/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“Just start somewhere," Dr. Marshall had said to me as I ground a banana-pineapple one to bits between my teeth. "It doesn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/just-start-somewhere-dr-marshall-had-said-to-me-as-i-ground-a-banana/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) [Browse all 311 Abusive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abusive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. 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