Feminism is about being strong, and that means both mentally and physically. That being said, it was a treat to see Ellen DeGeneres and Michelle Obama in a pushup battle right on television, and here’s why: these two women are extremely successful and both are very outspoken about being healthy. Michelle Obama is seen as a fashion icon and Ellen models for Cover Girl. The latter qualities are very girl-girly qualities … models of fashion and makeup. So naturally, to see these two women get down on the ground in their expensive clothes and carefully-applied makeup just to have a push-up battle, was amazing.

When you think of “push-up battle” you think of big guys, glistening with sweat, grimacing as they pump up and down trying to prove their manhood. However, Ellen and Michelle flipped that on its head – these two were talking smack, taking off their jackets, and on national TV battled it out. Their makeup never budged, and every hair remained perfectly in place. It reminds me of that saying “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in heels.”

It is said that women who exude “manly behaviors are less likely to be promoted in the work place,” and there was even a recent episode of the hit FOX show “The New Girl” in which a character’s ball-busting lawyer girlfriend tells lead character Jess “if I talked the way you do at work, no one would take me seriously.” She was implying that Jess is far too sweet and girly to be thought of as anything other than “a cute chick.”

This push-up battle and that episode of “The New Girl” both show that girls can be tough and strong and pretty and delicate all at the same time. Michelle Obama and Ellen can run their own shows, start charities, keep their spouses and maintain their families, all while looking great and kicking ass while doing so. What an example, right?

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