Lady boss. It’s a term used to describe women of all ages who have learned how to own their craft. And while we still live in a society that’s rather hard on innovative women, there’s something in the air that’s causing smart women to separate themselves from the pack, and hone their talents while telling the world’s haters to shove it.

It’s no secret that EcoSalon is a strong supporter of innovative women of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds. We write about at least a handful of interesting women every month. And each of these women are owning their own shit in a totally feminine way. That’s a pretty big thing because often times, a woman’s inherent femininity can get in the way of her success in the business world.

Women are often met with haters who think “she’s too forceful” — that makes her a “bitch.” Other times, women are called out for being too caring, or loving, and get smacked with the “nurturing mother” label. And still, women are often slapped with stereotypes based on the way they dress, talk, or look. But women who work hard and put their asses on the line to make it on their own learn how to ignore naysayers over time.

Through the past few years there have been a lot of high-profile lady boss stories featuring women who have overcome society’s inherent obstacles, and maintained their cool in spite of the world’s foolish trolls.

Laverne Cox burst onto the scene when “Orange is the New Black” blew up on Netflix. However, Cox is so much more than an actresses. She’s a remarkable gender activist and is working in various areas now (she is a popular speaker and writer). Overall, Cox has achieved her lady boss status by ignoring the people who like to shame otherness and by owning the most powerful part of her life: her own story.

Tavi Gevinson proved to be a kick-ass female talent while she was in high school. Gevinson started working on her now totally popular online teen magazine, Rookie, when she was quite young (we’re talking early teen years, here). Since Rookie mag has gained so much popularity over the years, Gevinson has just become more poised as an editor and an all-around creative powerhouse.

Say what you will about Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In,” but that book — and Sandberg’s overall philosophies — are still being discussed long after her book was released.

Aisha Tyler may be known as “that one chick who was on ‘Friends,'” but Tyler has built her own little empire based on her hilarious comedy and unabashed love for most-things nerdy.

Wende Zomnir, Urban Decay’s chief creative officer and brand co-founder, recently created the brand’s “The Ultraviolet Edge,” a global initiative that’s meant to fund women’s rights orgs.

Marci Zaroff  is the bright woman who created the term “EcoFashion.”

Now, you don’t have to be famous in order to fall into the lady boss category. You can be anyone. Are you in high school and hustling two jobs to save for college to become an engineer? You’re a lady boss. Did you just graduate from college with absolutely no job on the horizon, but have a burning desire to make a change? You’re a lady boss.

All of us, no matter how talented or well-known we are, are lady bosses. Because after all, to make it to the top, you have to be able to take the punches you’ll get when you achieve your goals. That’s why becoming a boss is such hard work. But damn, it’s worth it.

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Hey, successful women. Did you know that it’s the age of the trophy husband? For real. I don’t know if I should celebrate, or cry about this news…

OK, OK. Let me back up. In theory, this finding isn’t depressing.

Helen Fisher recently conducted a study for Match.com that mined the brains of single people. One of the findings the survey discovered was that men are totally cool with dating successful women. Also: More men — 87 percent — are cool with dating a woman who is “more intellectual, and is better educated than they are.” A recent Atlantic article reported on the findings.

Fisher jokingly calls this the “Clooney Effect.” She coined the phrase after George Clooney got married to Amal Alamuddin, a successful human-rights lawyer.

This study has quite a few holes, though. The Atlantic lists just a few issues with the “Clooney Effect:”

Any psychologist will state that appearance is still the number one factor in bringing two people together, and that it takes more than a singular trait (in this case, intelligence) to create a strong, long-lasting bond. And it’s important to note that these statistics are heteronormative, applying purely to straight couples and not addressing gays and lesbians at all.

Now, none of this (except for the massive study holes) is terrible news. So, why am I so grumpy? Because it is considered news. I know that this topic, and topics like this, have been in the spotlight throughout the past year, but I can’t believe this is something that still has to be reported. Maybe it’s because I’m a feminist killjoy, or maybe it’s because the majority of men I have dated were totally cool with the fact that I have a graduate degree and they do not.

But I do realize that for years (and still currently), many women do run into the “powerful woman” issue when dating. I guess just can’t wait for the day when it’s totally old-hat for blue-collar male workers to marry female CEOs.

What do you think about these findings? Do you know a lot of successful women who have married “down?” Do you hate the term “Trophy Husbands” as much as I do?

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Television is filled with incredibly smart and compassionate female characters these days. We’ve rounded up 6 of our favorite female characters on television who exude intelligence, feminist values, and character.

1. Lorelai Gilmore from “The Gilmore Girls”

Yes, this show is long over, but it was recently added on Netflix, so it’s garnering a lot of attention these days. Lorelai is the mother of Rory, smart-witted teen, and the daughter of Emily, rich, often misguided, but still sweet-in-her-own-way woman. Lorelai is a killer mom and an incredibly strong-willed woman. She is a young mom who raised her daughter on her own, and had enough gumption to learn how to run her own inn, too. Lorelai never lets the men in her life guide her decisions, and she’s a awesome friend to boot. (Her and Sookie, her best friend and the chef at the inn, represent what modern female friendship is all about.)

2. Kristina Braverman from “Parenthood”

Kristina is the wife of Adam Braverman. She and her husband have one of the most realistic marriages I’ve seen depicted on television. Their love for each other, and their kids, is flawless. Over the years, Kristina has fought cancer (and won), helped her son cope with his Asperger’s diagnosis, and accepted her lesbian daughter with loving, open arms.

3. Mindy Lahiri from “The Mindy Project”

Mindy is not perfect. In fact, she’s far from it. But that’s why I love her so much. Sure she says inappropriate things and acts like a child much of the time, but that still doesn’t make her any less successful. She’s a smart and successful OBGYN who may have some issues in her personal life. But she’s still dedicated to the health of her patients and tries (when she has the time) to be a good friend.

4. Joan Holloway from “Mad Men”

Joan is a smart woman who has learned how to be successful – and make a lot of money – in a man’s world. Joan has grown a lot since the beginning of this series. Through the years, she’s survived a rape and a horrible marriage, raised a child on her own, and has kept control of the office in times of crisis. Also: She’s learned how to befriend women and has become an unlikely mentor to other lovely female characters: Peggy Olson and Dawn Chambers.

5. Diane Lockhart from “The Good Wife”

Diane doesn’t take crap from anyone. She helped found one of the most successful firms and Chicago, and then left to help grow a small, indie firm to shake her life up. She hits just as hard as the boys, and has found love without compromising her beliefs, values, or pride. Also: She’s one of the older women on television. She proves that you still can be smart, sexy, and scary after 40.

6. Deputy U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks from “Justified”

Rachel doesn’t have a lot of screen time on “Justified,” but when she is front-and-center on the show, she shines. She’s smart, wily and one of the only people who can handle Raylan Givens, the mostly uncontrollable U.S. Marshal. She never lets any of the “bad” guys get to her, and handles all their attacks (many of which are racial and gendered) with a sly coolness.

Related on EcoSalon

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