Taking Back Karen

By now, most of us are well acquainted with the “Karen” meme.

It’s not a flattering concept, to be sure. And yet somehow it feels unjust to tar an entire name because of some unfortunate examples. Most people probably know people named Karen who are wonderful, cool, easygoing and a joy to be around.

In the spirit of sticking up for all the great Karens out there, here are examples of several Karens who do their name proud. Most of them are real, but a couple of fictional Karens deserve a nod for the positive things they’ve done for Karenhood.

Karen O: For a badass refutation of the meme, look no further than dynamic Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O. Her band’s Fever to Tell stands as one of the seminal albums in 21st century alternative music, and its hit single, “Maps,” has been as enduring as it has been influential. An extended break for the band has seen O branch out into solo work and successful collaborations (including her Grammy-nominated work with Danger Mouse). O has also conquered the world of composing scores and songs for films, notching an Oscar nomination (for “The Moon Song” from Her) and a Golden Globe nod (for the Where the Wild Things Are score). Throughout her work, O has embodied the ideas of fierce intelligence, uncompromising independence and a commitment to not taking the easy road. A brilliant artist and influential role model for…