5 Reasons (In His Own Words) Why We Love Joss Whedon
3. "Q: So, why do you write these strong female characters? A: Because youre still asking me that question." - (Equality Now acceptance speech) 
Explaining the process he goes through during his many many press junkets, which can be dozens during a single day, when Equality Now commended him for his "Outstanding contribution to equality in Film and Television", this was the scenario he painted that occurs at pretty much all of them. Confirming his strong belief in gender equality, "Why aren't you asking a hundred other guys why they don't write strong women characters?" is yet another thought provoking answer he gave to what he rightly believes shouldn't even be a question. Throughout all of his various creations, Whedon has been celebrated for his female characters who are strong, competent, and pretty much don't rely on the men in their lives to save the day, something which is still rather rare in today's media. If you need proof, ask a gamer, or just anyone who's seen Star Trek Into Darkness. But his real genius is that he doesn't do it for the sake of it, or to get attention, and nor does he just tip the scales in the opposite direction and make them all powerful Gods. Interestingly enough the only true weakness of Glory, who was an all powerful God, was being trapped in a man's body. Buffy Summers, River Tam, Echo, et al are all strong and handy to have in a fight, but also have their fair share of weaknesses as well. Buffy may be able to defeat every monster and demon thrown at her, but all of her primeval superpowers couldn't prepare her for the emotional onslaught of saving the world by sending her one true love to hell. Not to mention that in a town situated on a hellmouth itself, finding the body of her mother who has died from the only thing a supernatural chosen one can't save her from, natural causes, is a highlight of Buffy's series as well as her character. Perhaps the best example of Whedon's battle for equality however is the series finale, Chosen. Buffy stands shoulder to shoulder with other potential slayers against more than just the First, literally evil incarnate, but also a patriarchal tradition in place since the dawn of time. Rather than follow the rules however, she simply stands tall and says No. And changes them. Without given a choice she was given her power by men, and so she made her own choice to share it with women everywhere. Not all Whedon's female characters are super heroes, but they're not all whiney damsels in distress either (if you ignore Dawn in season 6). It is no surprise that he was entrusted with such female icons as Ellen Ripley and Wonder Woman, even if his treatments didn't meet audience, or even studio expectations. Ultimately his strong female characters are written to be the one thing that all female characters should be, they're fully rounded and human. Even if they were once a vengeance demon.
Explaining the process he goes through during his many many press junkets, which can be dozens during a single day, when Equality Now commended him for his "Outstanding contribution to equality in Film and Television", this was the scenario he painted that occurs at pretty much all of them. Confirming his strong belief in gender equality, "Why aren't you asking a hundred other guys why they don't write strong women characters?" is yet another thought provoking answer he gave to what he rightly believes shouldn't even be a question. Throughout all of his various creations, Whedon has been celebrated for his female characters who are strong, competent, and pretty much don't rely on the men in their lives to save the day, something which is still rather rare in today's media. If you need proof, ask a gamer, or just anyone who's seen Star Trek Into Darkness. But his real genius is that he doesn't do it for the sake of it, or to get attention, and nor does he just tip the scales in the opposite direction and make them all powerful Gods. Interestingly enough the only true weakness of Glory, who was an all powerful God, was being trapped in a man's body. Buffy Summers, River Tam, Echo, et al are all strong and handy to have in a fight, but also have their fair share of weaknesses as well. Buffy may be able to defeat every monster and demon thrown at her, but all of her primeval superpowers couldn't prepare her for the emotional onslaught of saving the world by sending her one true love to hell. Not to mention that in a town situated on a hellmouth itself, finding the body of her mother who has died from the only thing a supernatural chosen one can't save her from, natural causes, is a highlight of Buffy's series as well as her character. Perhaps the best example of Whedon's battle for equality however is the series finale, Chosen. Buffy stands shoulder to shoulder with other potential slayers against more than just the First, literally evil incarnate, but also a patriarchal tradition in place since the dawn of time. Rather than follow the rules however, she simply stands tall and says No. And changes them. Without given a choice she was given her power by men, and so she made her own choice to share it with women everywhere. Not all Whedon's female characters are super heroes, but they're not all whiney damsels in distress either (if you ignore Dawn in season 6). It is no surprise that he was entrusted with such female icons as Ellen Ripley and Wonder Woman, even if his treatments didn't meet audience, or even studio expectations. Ultimately his strong female characters are written to be the one thing that all female characters should be, they're fully rounded and human. Even if they were once a vengeance demon.