Without a doubt, it has been tough to be a woman in America this week. Republican Donald Trump — who has made sexist remarks and was caught on tape bragging about groping women — became President-elect, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton, who was in contention to become the first female president. Life may feel a bit bleak right now, but to lift some spirits, Netflix has created letters of advice from its female characters — from the sexual assault survivor Jessica Jones and Orange Is The New Black's transgender prisoner Sophia Burset to figures like The Crown's Queen Elizabeth and real people like comedian Chelsea Handler.
On Friday, Netflix released the letters, which follow the recent open letters of encouragement published by current First Lady Michelle Obama, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and even beloved Parks and Recreation feminist politician Leslie Knope. The Netflix character letters are each written from the points of view of the iconic characters, written to their younger selves and do not reference Trump directly or his planned policies. But these words are no doubt comforting in the wake of the recent presidential election. "Do something good — it helps with the self-loathing," Jessica Jones wrote in her letter. "Your greatest weakness is that you occasionally give a damn. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
From Orange is the New Black, Sophia's letter is written to Marcus, her previous name before she transitioned. "You are not alone," the character wrote. "Because as long as you love yourself, you can never be alone." The Crown's Queen Elizabeth addresses her letter to her family nickname Lilibet. "Use your grace, even when you stumble," the fictional version of the queen wrote. "And the stronger your resolve, the easier it will be for people to believe in you."
The usually outspoken Handler pulls no punches in her letter. "Don't be afraid to ask questions," she wrote. "Go out of your way to help people who need it."
It's comforting to know that Handler, as well as the fictional characters, have felt the many emotions that many women are currently going through — and their advice is priceless.
Images: Netflix (4); Myles Aronowitz, JoJo Whilden/Netflix
