For over two decades, Mariska Hargitay has graced our screens as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. Her role has not only transformed her career but has also provided her with a platform to effect real-world change, especially in advocating for women’s rights. This dedication has led many to wonder: Is Mariska Hargitay a feminist? The actress herself has pondered this label.
Embracing Feminism
SVU often showcases Hargitay’s Olivia Benson tackling crimes against women and domestic violence, which inspired Hargitay to create the Joyful Heart Foundation. This organization is dedicated to helping real-life victims of domestic abuse. In an interview with Bust, Hargitay addressed whether she considered herself a feminist.
“Sure, sure I do,” Hargitay affirmed. “I’m all about and for women. But do I call myself that? Well, other people call me that, and I welcome the title, but as opposed to what? You see what I’m saying? Opposed to what? I’m a personist. Am I a feminist? Yes. Do I promote and support women? You bet I do. Do I think that women’s voices need and deserve to be elevated? Yes. Yes. Yes.”
However, Hargitay emphasized unity over division. “What I’m not interested in is a divide,” she explained. “What I’m interested in, is figuring out through heart, through compassion, through non-judgment, and through tolerance, how we can get closer together.”
Navigating the Label
Hargitay is aware that the label “feminist” can sometimes carry negative connotations. “There’s a lot of toxic masculinity,” she said. “But I’ve been called [a feminist] in a very derogatory way. People have said, ‘Oh what are you, one of those?’ Because they’re scared of it. They’re scared of losing power. People don’t understand compassion is power. I feel like a very powerful person. But I feel powerful probably not because of the reasons people think that one is powerful. I feel like compassion is my superpower. I feel that empathy is my superpower. I feel that curiosity is my superpower. I feel like connection is my superpower.”
Olivia Benson: The Perfect Feminist Story
Much like Hargitay herself, Olivia Benson has grown and evolved over the years. Fans have seen her transition from a co-lead to the face of SVU after Christopher Meloni’s exit in 2011. Benson’s journey has been marked by resilience in the face of trauma, professional promotions, and the exploration of motherhood. Celebrating 25 years of SVU, Hargitay reflected on her character’s evolution in an interview with Today.
“It’s so beautiful to have the privilege to actually watch the evolution,” she said. “As I see it and look back, Olivia Benson is sort of a perfect feminist story because we actually see this woman grow into her power.”
Hargitay acknowledged that her own growth has paralleled Benson’s. “It’s been incredible,” she said. “I was just thinking the other day, because it’s hard to process — everyone’s saying, ‘25 years, 25 years.’ I am so grateful for this time in my life, to be present.”
Motherhood: Adding Depth and Complexity
Hargitay advocated for Olivia Benson’s motherhood subplot after becoming a mother herself, despite initial reluctance from the show’s creators. “I think that Dick [Wolf] and the powers that be were concerned, obviously, for me being a mother because they didn’t want anything to detract from my job. And yet, this is life. People do both, and we have to figure it out,” Hargitay told Entertainment Weekly.
When she finally got to explore this storyline, she was thrilled. It added depth to Benson’s character and demonstrated the real-life multitasking of working women. “I was so interested in making the character more complex in that beautiful way that women multitask and do so many jobs,” she said. “It was important to show that — what women do — and the real work. Because being a parent, I think, is the most important thing that we do in our lives.”
Conclusion
Mariska Hargitay’s portrayal of Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU has provided her with a unique platform to champion women’s rights and advocate for victims of domestic violence. Her embrace of feminism, combined with her efforts to promote unity and compassion, underscores her impact both on and off the screen. As she continues to evolve alongside her character, Hargitay remains a powerful advocate for women everywhere.