"Grey's Anatomy" provides a weekly dose of feminism. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the “Grey’s Anatomy” scenes that highlighted and celebrated the strength of its incredible cast of women.
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00:00I may be 47 months pregnant, I may be on bed rest, I may not be able to see my own feet,
00:07but I am Dr. Bailey.
00:09Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Grey's Anatomy scenes
00:14that highlighted and celebrated the strength of its incredible cast of women.
00:18I'm brilliant.
00:19If you want to appease me, compliment my brain.
00:22Number 20.
00:23Maggie teaches Joe how to bring the thunder.
00:27Between dramatic medical storylines and relationship strife, Grey's Anatomy has always been able
00:32to bring levity to some intense topics.
00:35Consider Dr. Maggie Pierce's impromptu lesson on bringing the thunder.
00:39You don't speak to a patient unless I tell you to, is that understood?
00:42After she finished chewing out intern Joe Wilson about a miscommunication with a patient,
00:47Maggie suddenly switches off her harsh mentor mode, explaining that when a doctor looks
00:51young or friendly, she has an uphill battle to be taken seriously.
00:56I just had to bring the thunder.
00:57Pierce recommends Wilson take on a more commanding voice and no-nonsense approach if she wants
01:02to get ahead, and also spares her a compliment in the midst of it.
01:06You have to help them understand who they're dealing with.
01:09You have to bring the thunder.
01:12If you don't do this, you should.
01:14You're really pretty.
01:15It turns out to be two lessons in one.
01:17Number 19.
01:18Callie calls out Mark's double standards.
01:21Yes, the men at Seattle Grace were dreamy, but sometimes they needed a verbal smackdown.
01:26Mark Sloan's anger at Lexi Gray for moving on too quickly with another man looked an
01:31awful lot like his own past behavior.
01:33If there's one person who moves on from a relationship quickly, it's Sloan.
01:38And it took his good pal Callie Torres to point that out.
01:41So I was talking to Lexi.
01:43Why?
01:44When?
01:45Why are you talking to her?
01:46No, she came to me.
01:47Once she did, it made Mark have to be sensible.
01:50He wasn't offended so much as he was hurt over their breakup.
01:53She made some good points.
01:54She dumped me and jumped into bed with Karev.
01:56She doesn't get to make good points.
01:58Mark, don't you think you're being a little- What, mad, offended, disgusted?
02:01Hypocritical, sexist, immature.
02:04She dumped me.
02:05But Lexi sleeping with Alex Karev was just the catalyst for him to confront those feelings.
02:11Number 18.
02:12Bailey goes on sabbatical.
02:14Dr. Miranda Bailey seems like an unstoppable force, but even someone as strong as her needs
02:19to take a break every once in a while.
02:21Overworked and recovering from a heart attack, Bailey does the unthinkable.
02:26She takes a sabbatical.
02:27For a workhorse like Chief Bailey, the thought of a rest period would have seemed impossible
02:32before.
02:33I needed you to do that surgery.
02:35I was worried I might nick one of the organs.
02:39I needed to be somewhere where I couldn't do any harm.
02:43It wasn't just an important message about listening to the body.
02:46The storyline also opened up a conversation about how women's heart attack symptoms are
02:50sometimes overlooked, and how women of color are statistically vulnerable to disbelieving
02:56doctors.
02:57I need time to get some things straightened out.
03:04I need your help.
03:06Number 17.
03:07Meredith knows who Joe is.
03:09Dr. Joe Wilson comes to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital with a mysterious past.
03:14That past walks into her workplace in the form of her abusive ex, renowned surgeon
03:19Dr. Paul Stadler.
03:20I can't believe that you studied under Paul Stadler.
03:21Way to keep a secret.
03:22See ya.
03:23So, you haven't been talking about me.
03:30The most impactful moment of this storyline is when Meredith, who didn't always get
03:34along with Joe, doesn't hesitate to support her.
03:37Meredith tells her that nothing Paul can say will change her esteem and respect for her.
03:42Joe's fellow doctors rally around her, even as Paul tries to chip away at her integrity
03:46and her sense of safety.
03:48You are Joe Wilson.
03:49I know exactly who you are.
03:54It's okay.
03:58The show took great care with the subject of domestic abuse, with the episode title
04:02itself being the National Domestic Violence Hotline Number.
04:06Number 16.
04:07Christina didn't want to get married.
04:09I wanted to be you.
04:12The best thing that ever happened to me was you walking away from our wedding.
04:16It made me stand on my own two feet.
04:18In Season 3, Dr. Christina Yang is left at the altar by her mentor and lover, Dr. Preston
04:24Burke.
04:25Devastating as it is, when Burke re-enters her life and offers her a job, she realizes
04:29just how much of a gift he gave her by leaving.
04:32She didn't want to marry the cardio god.
04:35She wanted to be the cardio god.
04:37And in a crazy turn of events, he would offer her the chance to do as much at a research
04:41hospital in Switzerland.
04:44Not as his underling, but as his replacement.
04:47You're offering me your hospital.
04:50Like you're Willy Wonka and you're handing me a chocolate factory.
04:56Cheer up, Charlie.
04:57Number 15.
04:58Meredith wins the Harper Avery Award.
05:01When Grey's Anatomy began, the hospital was full of cutthroat surgeons who would step
05:05on each other just to get a chance to take out someone's appendix.
05:09In its 14th season, Meredith Grey wins the most prestigious award in their field.
05:14The entire hospital shows up to celebrate and honor her contributions, her legacy, and
05:19really just her as a person.
05:21Drive to save lives, to make things better.
05:24And despite all that she's lost, she continued to find joy in her work.
05:29As a surgeon, as a teacher, as a mother.
05:31Not a sour face or ulterior motive is present.
05:34In an apparition of her long-deceased mother, a two-time winner of the Harper Avery Award
05:39appears among the crowd of supporters.
05:41Everything's perfect from far away, come down now.
05:51Number 14.
05:52Addison and Meredith bond over Derek's death.
05:55These two have come a long way from their first meeting.
05:58When Addison Montgomery and Meredith Grey disappeared into an elevator after completing
06:02a surgery, everyone was sure they were going to hash out years-old resentments.
06:07Instead, Addison breaks down as the gravity of her ex's death hits her like a tidal
06:12wave.
06:13I would be able to feel that he was still here, in the city that he loved, with the
06:19people he loved.
06:20But he isn't.
06:21Meredith's compassionate stalling of the elevator recalled all the other times she
06:25and their fellow surgeons had to collect themselves and their emotions before facing the hospital
06:31floor again.
06:32He is here, and he's seen his children, and they are very real, and I would love for
06:41you to come and meet them.
06:43Addison's parting wisdom might just be the best part.
06:46Their bond runs deeper than the man they both married.
06:49So if you believe in this next big thing, fight for it.
06:52They are both women devoted to a field where it's especially hard to be just that.
06:57Number 13.
06:58Meredith stands up to Ellis.
07:00From the jump, Meredith Gray lived in the shadow of her mother.
07:04The decorated surgeon was hard on everyone in her life, but she was most hard on her
07:08daughter.
07:09When she wakes up from the fugue of Alzheimer's in this season three episode, Ellis expresses
07:14once again her disappointment in her daughter.
07:16I raised you to be an extraordinary human being, so imagine my disappointment when I
07:21wake up after five years and discover that you're no more than ordinary.
07:25Meredith finally stands up to her later in the episode.
07:28Finally refusing to live up to her mother's impossible standards, she takes the opportunity
07:32to confess all the resentments Ellis' parenting gave her.
07:36You want to know why I'm so unfocused?
07:40So ordinary?
07:42You want to know what happened to me?
07:44You!
07:45You happened to me!
07:46So much of Meredith's story was about stepping out from behind her mother's shadow.
07:50It's one of the times she realizes that she can be a great doctor without becoming
07:54as cutthroat and unforgiving as her mother.
07:5812.
07:59Bailey Wins the Catherine Fox Award
08:01Season 19 of the long-running medical drama saw Dr. Bailey doing more than her part to
08:05preserve reproductive rights and safety in the wake of attacks on women's reproductive
08:10health.
08:11When she's asked to present the prestigious Catherine Fox Award, she'd probably much
08:15rather be back at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital with the patients who need her.
08:19It's exactly that sort of dedication which ends up earning her the award.
08:23Dr. Miranda Bailey, we would love to present you with the Catherine Fox Award for your
08:28significant contribution to medicine this year.
08:31Her genuine shock and realization that she's not there to present the award but to receive
08:36it is a true tear-jerker.
08:38As the glue that holds the hospital together, it's a culmination of every great thing
08:42she's done over the years.
08:44Okay, okay, oh my god, it's been such a long year, okay, okay, okay.
08:5311.
08:54Callie stands up for who she is
08:56I'm sorry things got so much, but the fact that you came…
09:02Daddy's our father, Kevin.
09:06In this moment from Season 6, Callie stood up to her father when he tried to condemn
09:10her sexuality.
09:12He came to the hospital hoping to fix her, but instead of folding under the pressure,
09:16she fought back, stating that her sexuality and religious beliefs didn't conflict.
09:21You think you can pray away the gay?
09:22You can just sit and talk.
09:23You can't pray away the gay.
09:25Though Callie and her father continued to struggle with the topic, he eventually came
09:29to terms with it.
09:30The way I cut in, it's all yours.
09:34We find our way back to the things that matter the most.
09:37I was driving to the airport with your mother and it hit me.
09:40I've been looking forward to dancing with you on your wedding day since I first held
09:43you into my arms, so I turned the car around and came back.
09:46So here I am, to have this dance with my daughter.
09:52This powerful moment proved that it's okay to be proud of who you are, especially when
09:56it comes to being part of the LGBTQ plus community.
09:59Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the
10:03kingdom of heaven.
10:04Jesus is my savior, daddy, not you.
10:06And Jesus would be ashamed of you for judging me.
10:08He would be ashamed of you for turning your back on me.
10:11He would be ashamed.
10:12Number 10.
10:13Meredith declares her independence.
10:15Meredith and Derek have been through a lot together.
10:18Lies, sabotage, adultery, and more tragedies than they deserve.
10:22We were in a plane and it crashed, plane crashed.
10:25Where is Derek?
10:26Derek!
10:27At some points, their relationship was tested to its absolute limits.
10:32After a particularly bad fight in season 11, Meredith realizes that although she still
10:36loves Derek, she could live without him if she had to.
10:39And I'm going to do everything in my power to prove it.
10:48I can't live without you.
10:58While he was away, she'd thrived as a surgeon and learned to live without him being there.
11:02This moment is especially important because it shows that having independence in a relationship
11:07is not synonymous with breaking up.
11:09I can't live without you, but I don't want to.
11:18I don't ever want to.
11:24Number 9.
11:25Christina does not want a baby.
11:26You know, I think I'm going to order pizza if you want, I can get-
11:30I'm pregnant.
11:31Christina has always been laser focused on her career as a surgeon, prioritizing it over
11:36all else.
11:37When she married fellow surgeon Owen Hunt, they hadn't yet discussed the topic of children.
11:41I don't want one.
11:45I don't hate children.
11:47I respect children.
11:48I think they should have parents who want them.
11:51So when Christina mentioned that she had no interest in having children one day, it caused
11:55some issues.
11:56Despite the arguments that their differences created, she stood by her conviction without
12:00wavering.
12:01I made an appointment to terminate the pregnancy.
12:04Though this played a role in their eventual breakup, it was essential to see Christina
12:08not compromise herself in their relationship, standing firm in her decision.
12:12I'm asking you to do something for me.
12:14Can you simply consider doing something for me?
12:18Have a baby?
12:20This isn't pizza versus tie, you don't give a little on a baby.
12:22Christina, I am asking-
12:23I am saying no!
12:26Number 8.
12:27Izzy fights back.
12:28Is this you?
12:31It is, isn't it?
12:32Prior to her surgical internship at Seattle Grace Hospital, Izzy Stevens worked as a lingerie
12:38and underwear model in order to pay off her student loans from med school.
12:41Shh, shh, we have Bethany Whisperer in our locker room.
12:46Oh boy, I guess they do airbrush out the tattoo, don't they?
12:51When her co-worker Alex Karev found out, he plastered pictures of her throughout the hospital
12:55as a prank.
12:56Her response, needless to say, was incredible.
12:59She reclaimed her body by showing that she had no shame in it, effectively taking all
13:03the power away from the men harassing her.
13:06You want to see it?
13:08You really want to see it?
13:09Fine.
13:11Let's look at that tattoo up close and personal, shall we?
13:14This Grey's Anatomy scene is one that will go down in history as an iconic feminist moment.
13:19You want to call me Dr. Model?
13:22That's fine.
13:23Just remember that while you're sitting on 200 grand of student loans, I'm out of debt.
13:29Number 7.
13:30Meredith calls out Derek.
13:32Hey.
13:33How's my dog?
13:34Much better.
13:35And he's running tests.
13:36Good, good.
13:37Our dog.
13:38What?
13:39Our dog.
13:40He's our dog.
13:41Yeah, whatever.
13:42Are you mad at me or something?
13:43No, it's not the time.
13:48We already mentioned that Meredith and Derek have a lot of issues in their relationship,
13:51and here's an example of one from early on.
13:54After they break up the first time, Derek is furious to learn that Meredith has slept
13:58with a string of other men.
13:59I never should have told you about George.
14:01No, it's fine.
14:02I'm glad I know.
14:03About him.
14:04And Yvette.
14:05You really get around.
14:06What did you just say to me?
14:08It's unforgivable.
14:09I don't remember ever asking you to forgive me.
14:11Derek's blatant sexism rightfully upsets Meredith, especially since he's the one who
14:16left her.
14:17Who's next?
14:18Alex?
14:19Because I hear he likes to sleep around.
14:22You two have that in common?
14:23She rightfully calls him out, telling him that he doesn't get to judge her for how
14:27she decided to cope.
14:28At least it seems to sink in.
14:30You left me.
14:32You chose Addison.
14:34I'm all glued back together now.
14:37I make no apologies for how I chose to repair what you broke.
14:42Number six.
14:43Christina tells Meredith she is the son.
14:45We'll call each other at least twice a month and we'll text all the time.
14:49Don't wait.
14:50Text me.
14:51And don't let Owen get all dark and twisty.
14:52Take care of him.
14:53And Alex, take care of Alex.
14:54He needs to be mocked at least once a day or he'll be insufferable.
14:58Meredith and Christina are each other's person.
15:00So when Christina made her exit on the season 10 finale, it was a tearful goodbye filled
15:05with promises, love, and of course, dancing it out.
15:17As Christina turns to leave, she has one last message.
15:20He's very dreamy, but he is not the son.
15:25You are.
15:26This means first and foremost that Christina wants Meredith to put herself first.
15:30Something she's always struggled to do.
15:32And that particularly applies to her marriage.
15:35However, it's also a subtle callback to Meredith's mother calling her ordinary.
15:39By calling Meredith extraordinary, Christina is essentially telling Meredith that she's
15:44proud of her.
15:45You are a gifted surgeon with an extraordinary mind.
15:48They may not be sisters by blood, but that doesn't lessen the bonds these two share.
15:53Number five.
15:54Bailey becomes the first female chief of surgery.
15:59The moment Miranda Bailey became the first female chief of surgery at the hospital was
16:03iconic to say the least.
16:05Since the beginning of the show, Bailey was a force to be reckoned with.
16:14Her interns feared her, her co-workers respected her, and her boss, Richard Weber, knew that
16:20she would become chief one day.
16:21Throughout 11 seasons leading up to the promotion, Bailey was a lion-hearted leader, teaching
16:26her interns lessons while growing herself as well.
16:29While there are countless other successful female doctors on this show, many of which
16:33are department heads, the moment Bailey became chief was a monumental victory.
16:43Number four.
16:44Meredith fights for equal pay.
16:52The fight for equal pay is not a recent thing.
16:55Women have been paid unfair wages for, well, forever.
17:00When Meredith learns that she's making a lot less than other department heads, she's
17:03hesitant at first to renegotiate her contract.
17:18But finally, she steals herself and tells Bailey that she deserves more.
17:22Turns out that Bailey was just waiting for her to speak up.
17:24She actually agrees with Meredith 100%.
17:27Meredith worked hard to get where she's at.
17:29She earned her job, and she shouldn't settle for any less.
17:47Number three.
17:48Addressing sexual harassment.
17:54Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace isn't a recent thing either.
17:58Grey's Anatomy weighed in on this conversation with the Harper-Avery plotline.
18:02When multiple women came forward with stories of Avery's sexual harassment, his ex-daughter-in-law
18:07Catherine Fox planned to take the fall for it.
18:10But Jackson wasn't about to let that happen.
18:19He and Meredith helped turn the Harper-Avery Foundation into the Catherine Fox Foundation,
18:24taking the power away from the abuser and putting it into the hands of a capable woman.
18:29Even though workplace sexual harassment continues, it was an uplifting and inspiring contribution
18:34to the narrative.
18:44Number two.
18:45Amelia is legendary.
18:58We've all stood in someone else's shadow.
19:01For much too long, Amelia stood in the shadow of her brother Derek.
19:19But in the distance, she faces off against a nasty brain tumor that seems impossible
19:23to remove, especially without Derek's help.
19:26She's always been the other Dr. Shepard, never held in quite the same esteem.
19:30However, when she successfully removes the tumor, she proves to everyone, including herself,
19:36that she can stand on her own.
19:38It's a moment of pride, power, and independence that teaches Amelia not to doubt herself and
19:43speaks volumes about what women can accomplish.
20:14Number one.
20:15Supporting a patient.
20:16A patient named Abby arrives at the hospital after having been the victim of sexual violence.
20:21Her story is one that too many women know well, with her reluctance to seek justice
20:26feeling devastatingly real.
20:35The show delves into the trauma and realities of her situation, as well as the legal hurdles
20:40victims face, and the reasons someone might not come forward right away.
20:45Jo shares her own experience as a victim of abuse, and eventually, Abby gives the okay
20:50to do the kit.
21:01At the end of the episode, Abby is wheeled into surgery as the women of the hospital
21:05line the hallways in solidarity to send her off.
21:09Did we leave out any memorable moments of sister solidarity?
21:12Let us know in the comments.
21:14I'm Dr. Miranda Bailey, chief of surgery at Grace Sloan Memorial Hospital, and I approve
21:23this message.
21:24Do you agree with our picks?
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