Growing up, I loved both the book and movie versions of Jurassic Park. One of the revolutionary films of the 1990s for its CGI, it continues to shape childhoods through its sequels and spin-offs. But for me, the groundbreaking part was Doctor Ellie Sattler, played by Laura Dern. Although technically a side character, she stood out as an educated, confident, and no-nonsense woman who knew her worth and didn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty – like diving into dinosaur poop (something I definitely would not have done).
A paleobotanist, Sattler begins the film working in the Montana badlands, an expert in prehistoric ecosystems. On the island of Jurassic Park, she becomes so absorbed in the extinct plants that she misses the dinosaurs completely – a detail that resonated with me as a child who also gets completely lost in one thing while overlooking everything else. Later, she proves herself even more remarkable when she volunteers to restore the islam’ds power grid. She evades the velociraptors and outsmarts them, trapping one and reaching safety.
Full of intelligence, resilience, and courage in the face of the unknown, Doctor Ellie Sattler was one of my earliest role models. She showed me that strength could look like curiosity, quick thinking, and determination – and that girls belong at the heart of the adventure too.
-Hannah S.