During the 1970s, television reflected a profound cultural shift. As theWomen's LiberationMovement reshaped American society, the small screen began to feature female characters who were no longer merely supporting players or romantic interests, but bold protagonists capable of saving the day.
The top super female '70s TV action stars
Action-adventure series placed women at the center of the story—running investigations, fighting villains, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. Whether donning a superhero costume, solving crimes, or embarking on globe-trotting missions, these actresses helped redefine what television heroines could be.
Stars such as Lindsay Wagner, Lynda Carter, Joanna Cameron, Farrah Fawcett, Cheryl Ladd, Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, Angie Dickinson, Tanya Roberts, and Shelley Hack became powerful symbols of the era's growing demand for female empowerment. Their characters reflected a generation of women determined to claim greater independence, opportunity, and visibility in both popular culture and everyday life.
Let's take a closer look at each.
Universal Television
Lindsay Wagner
Lindsay Wagnerbecame a defining figure of 1970s female empowerment as Jaime Sommers inThe Bionic Woman. Portraying strength with compassion and intelligence, Wagner's character proved that heroism could be both powerful and humane, reflecting the Women's Liberation movement's call for multidimensional female role models on television.
Image Credit: Geraldshields11 / Wiki Commons.
Lynda Carter
As the star ofWonder Woman,Lynda Carterembodied a heroic ideal that resonated deeply during the Women's Liberation era. Her regal presence, athletic grace, and moral authority helped redefine television's female action hero, presenting women as powerful protectors capable of leading with courage, wisdom, and independence.
Filmation Associates
Joanna Cameron
Joanna Cameron'sportrayal of the mystical heroine inThe Secrets of Isisintroduced young audiences to a woman who solved problems through intelligence, courage, and compassion. At a time of growing feminist awareness, Cameron's Isis stood as an empowering symbol that girls could be heroes in their own right.
Image Credit: IMDB / Charlie's Angels promotional image.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcettbecame a cultural phenomenon throughCharlie's Angels, where her character Jill Munroe blended glamour, athleticism, and confidence. Beyond her famous smile and iconic poster, Fawcett represented a modern television heroine—resourceful, daring, and independent—mirroring the growing cultural celebration of strong women.
ABC / Wiki Commons
Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl LaddjoinedCharlie's Angelsas Kris Munroe, continuing the show's message that women could be courageous investigators and capable professionals. Her warm yet determined portrayal reflected the expanding opportunities for women in the 1970s, reinforcing television's embrace of female strength and independence.
ABC / Wiki Commons
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Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson'sSabrina Duncan onCharlie's Angelsstood out for her intelligence and leadership. Less flashy but deeply capable, Jackson's character often guided missions with strategic insight, illustrating that women's power on television—and in the broader Women's Liberation era—could come from intellect as much as action.
Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith'sKelly Garrett brought elegance and quiet determination toCharlie's Angels. Her poised yet capable persona helped redefine femininity during the 1970s, showing that grace and strength were not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary qualities in a new generation of empowered television heroines.
David Gerber Productions in association with Columbia Pictures Television
Angie Dickinson
Angie Dickinsonbroke new ground as Sergeant Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson inPolice Woman. Her performance marked one of television's earliest portrayals of a female police officer leading investigations, reflecting the era's social changes and reinforcing the message that women belonged in professions traditionally dominated by men.
Spelling-Goldberg Productions
Tanya Roberts
Though arriving at the tail end of the decade,Tanya Robertscarried the spirit of 1970s female action heroes into the next era withCharlie's Angels. Her adventurous spirit and confident presence reflected the ongoing cultural shift toward women as dynamic protagonists in action storytelling.
Spelling-Goldberg Productions
Shelley Hack
Shelley Hack'sbrief tenure onCharlie's Angelsreflected television's continued effort to portray women as capable professionals within high-stakes adventures. Her character, Tiffany Welles, represented intelligence and sophistication, reinforcing the series' broader connection to the Women's Liberation movement and the expanding roles available to women on screen.
Sid & Marty Krofft Productions
The Big Picture
Taken together, these performers, along with those like Deidra Hall and Judy Strangis, from TV'sElectra Woman and Dyna Girlseries, helped transform the image of women on television during a decade of rapid social change. Their characters were intelligent, courageous, and capable, often blending glamour with grit in ways that captivated audiences around the world.
While each actress brought her own style and personality to the screen, all shared a common thread: they portrayed women who could lead, fight, investigate, and inspire. In doing so, they contributed to a broader cultural narrative that encouraged viewers to see women not simply as sidekicks, but as heroes in their own right.
More than half a century later, the legacy of these 1970s action-adventure stars endures, reminding us that television can both mirror and help propel the evolving story of women's empowerment.
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This article originally appeared onNewsBreak.comand was syndicated byMediaFeed.org.
During the 1970s, television reflected a profound cultural shift. As theWomen's LiberationMovement reshaped American...
