Never Settle: Why Claire Underwood is My Spirit Animal

For those of you out there who have not succumbed to the addiction that is “House of Cards,” you are being deprived of a smart, cynical, and impeccably written political drama. Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood displays a new level of finesse when it comes to conniving politics and blatant manipulation on Capitol Hill. But for me, it isn’t just the intrigue, political machinations and on-point writing that keep me coming back each week (or, each night, to be honest) it is the captivating, confident and professional prowess that is Claire Underwood.

When I started watching "House of Cards" Claire possessed a certain magnetism. But I couldn’t answer the question: why did I admire her? She fired half of her staff in the first episode-a callous, calculated move to forward her personal career and vision. Is that really who I aspire to be? Someone who takes manipulation, scheming and cold-hearted business negotiations to an extreme level? No. But I do want to be seen as a strong, confident and capable leader who is always forward-thinking. There is a difference between ruthless business moves and intelligent, yet thoughtful, steps to get ahead.

I draw on Claire’s strength not only in the professional sphere, but also in how she handles her marriage. It is clear that Claire and Frank Underwood’s marriage is less a monogamous romance than it is a business partnership of sorts. Oftentimes you will see them working together as a cutthroat team to forward a certain political agenda or eliminate the latest obstacle in their path to the White House. They function as an alliance: they are equals in this political venture. (Even when they sabotage each other’s work, we see each of them holding the power hand at different times; cold-blooded backstabbing sees equality as well.)

Am I arguing for a relationship like Claire and Frank Underwood’s? No, absolutely not. I am not an advocate of marital infidelity, or the extreme forms of revenge that they take on each other at times. But, I am recognizing the assets of their partnership and the position of power that Claire continually wields, that I believe allows them a more enviable relationship. As Claire says to her on and off again flame in season one: “He (Frank) was the only one who understood me. He didn’t put me on some pedestal, he knew that I didn’t want to be adored or coddled.” Above all, they give each other mutual autonomy, and therein lies the true power of their relationship.

I continue to discover why I rely so much on Claire’s character, her power and ability to make brave and progressive moves both in her career and personal life. I live in a culture that is consistently reminding me of girls and young women who are being discouraged from taking on leadership and executive roles. And, even more unsettling, of millennial women who are reporting a higher number of sexism in the workplace.1I oftentimes struggle to find sense, let alone hope, in these facts.

Yes, women may be earning the majority of college degrees, but what about these statistics?

Women make up:

19% of the U.S. Congress

5% of Fortune 500 CEOs

10% of heads of state2

The latest feminist movement, garnering support from the likes of Beyoncé, Jennifer Garner (shout-out to DU alum!), Sheryl Sandberg and Condoleezza Rice is geared towards girls and young women to: #BanBossy. They argue that part of the reason why women are under-represented in positions of leadership is due to an early stigma: being called bossy. A Washington Street Journal article on this movement highlights that even powerhouse figures such as Margaret Thatcher was described as “the bossy intrusive Englishwoman” and that leaders from Madeleine Albright to Hillary Clinton have been termed “too ambitious.” The campaign asks: how can we expect more women to take on these leadership roles and leverage their education and skills if these stereotypes persist?

To me, Claire’s character stands for much of what this campaign hopes to achieve-a woman who is confident, capable, a strong leader, and not afraid of making her own decisions; a CEO who wields autonomy in her office and in her marriage. Yes, I realize that Claire’s character has many flaws, because she is a human figure, and she can’t be seen as the ultimate “role model” or the “pinnacle of feminism,” because those statements are wildly impossible to fill. She can, however, continue to inspire young women like me who hope that one day her character won’t be so radical or need to be celebrated, because the type of women she embodies: one with capable leadership skills, a strong partnership, and confidence in her own autonomy, will be a reality that we don’t need to be enamored with-we are living it.