Inspirational Halloween Costumes for Mothers & Daughters

It’s no secret I love a good costume. I love creating them and year after year, I tend to be drawn to dressing up as a powerful woman…past or present…real life or fictional character. I have designed costumes for Xena Warrior Princess (one of my personal faves from back in the day) to Edna “E” Mode from the Incredibles to Moira Rose from Schitz Creek to the Iris Apfel.

This year, I anticipate that we will be seeing many of our friendies dressed as two of the most influential women of 2023…Barbie and the Taylor Swift, for good reason. However, if you want to step outside of the literal box, or don’t identify as a Swiftie, I have a list of other inspirational women for you to consider this halloween. Maybe there’s one that resonates with you!

Inspirational women, both real and fictional, for Halloween costumes, along with a brief description of why each was chosen:

Alexandra Scott - Founder of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
Alice Paul - Suffragette leader who played a key role in the women's suffrage movement.
Allyson Felix - world-renowned track and field athlete and has won numerous Olympic gold medals. Beyond her athletic achievements, she's an advocate for gender equality in sports and has been vocal about the challenges female athletes face
Aly Raisman - Gymnast and advocate against child sexual abuse.
Alex Morgan - US Women’s National Team Star
Amelia Bloomer - Women's rights activist known for popularizing practical and comfortable clothing for women.
Amelia Boynton Robinson - Civil rights activist who played a key role in the Selma to Montgomery marches.
Amelia Earhart - The pioneering aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, breaking barriers in aviation.
Amandla Stenberg - Actress and activist advocating for racial and gender equality.
Anne Frank - The young diarist whose writings have inspired millions with her courage during the Holocaust.
Anne Sullivan - Teacher who helped Helen Keller overcome her disabilities and communicate.
Aung San Suu Kyi - Burmese politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, advocating for democracy and human rights.
Autumn Peltier - A young Indigenous environmental activist and water protector.
Barbra Bush - Former First Lady, and literacy advocate
Bessie Coleman - Pioneering African American aviator who broke racial and gender barriers.
Betty White - A beloved actress and comedian known for her enduring humor and timeless charm
Bindi Irwin - Conservationist and wildlife expert continuing her father's legacy.
Beyoncé - Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress, an inspiration in the entertainment industry.
Bella Thorne - Actress, singer, and advocate for mental health awareness.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Author known for powerful writing on feminism, race, and identity.
Clara Barton - Founder of the American Red Cross and humanitarian.
Cleopatra - The Egyptian queen known for her intelligence and charismatic leadership.
Coco Chanel - Iconic fashion designer who revolutionized women's fashion.
Coco Gauff - A young tennis sensation known for her incredible talent.
Dolly Parton - Country music icon and philanthropist known for her generous spirit.
Ella Fitzgerald - Jazz icon with a legendary singing career.
Elle Fanning - Actress known for her diverse roles in film and television.
Elsa - The determined and powerful queen from Disney's "Frozen."
Emma Gonzalez - A survivor of the Parkland school shooting and gun control activist.
Emma Watson - Actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for gender equality.
Frida Kahlo - The iconic Mexican artist known for her self-portraits and unapologetic self-expression.
Gabby Douglas - Olympic gymnast and inspiration to aspiring athletes.
Gitanjali Rao - The young scientist and inventor recognized for her innovations.
Greta Thunberg - The environmental activist advocating for climate action.
Harriet Quimby - Pioneering aviator and the first woman to earn a pilot's license in the U.S.
Harriet Tubman - The abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, leading enslaved individuals to freedom.
Hermione Granger - The beloved fictional character from the Harry Potter series.
Hima Das - Indian sprinter and national champion.
Holly Robinson Peete - Actress and autism awareness advocate.
Irena Sendler - A Polish nurse who saved thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust.
Iris Apfel - A fashion icon celebrated for her eclectic and age-defying style.
Jackie Evancho - A young opera singer with an incredible voice.
Jazz Jennings - LGBTQ+ advocate and one of the youngest transgender public figures.
Joan of Arc - The French heroine who played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War.
JoJo Siwa - Dancer, singer, and LGBTQ+ advocate.
Katie Ledecky - the most decorated of female swimmer in history with six individual Olympic gold medals and 14 individual long course world titles to date
Katniss Everdeen - The courageous protagonist from "The Hunger Games" series.
Laverne Cox - Actress and transgender rights advocate.
Lorde - New Zealand singer-songwriter with a unique voice.
Malala Yousafzai - The youngest Nobel Prize laureate and girls' education advocate.
Maddie Ziegler - A young dancer and actress known for her work with Sia.
Mae Jemison - The first African American woman in space, an inspiration in the field of aerospace.
Malala Yousafzai - The advocate for girls' education and youngest Nobel Prize laureate, who courageously fought for education rights.
Marley Dias - Founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks, promoting diversity in literature.
Marsai Martin - Young actress and producer, known for her role in "Black-ish."
Mary Shelley - Author of "Frankenstein" and a pioneer of science fiction literature.
Maya Angelou - The celebrated poet, author, and civil rights activist whose words inspire generations.
Michelle Obama - Former First Lady and advocate for education and health, setting an example of grace and leadership.
Millie Bobby Brown - Young actress known for her role in "Stranger Things."
Misty Copeland - The first African American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.
Nadia Comăneci - The Romanian gymnast who achieved the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.
Oprah Winfrey - Media mogul and philanthropist, using her platform to inspire and empower others.
Princess Leia - Courageous leader from the Star Wars franchise, symbolizing resilience and determination.
Queen Elizabeth I - The Tudor queen who presided over a golden age of English history and exploration.
Queen Nefertiti - Ancient Egyptian queen known for her beauty and grace, a symbol of Egyptian history.
Rosa Parks - The civil rights activist known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparking the Civil Rights Movement.
Ruby Bridges - The first African American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - The trailblazing Supreme Court Justice and women's rights advocate, known for her legal brilliance.
Ruthie Bolton - Former WNBA basketball player and advocate for domestic violence awareness.
Sacagawea - Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition, contributing to American exploration.
Samantha Smith - A young peace activist known for her correspondence with a Soviet leader during the Cold War.
Sandra Day O’Connor - First female Supreme Court Justice of the United States
Sasha Obama - The youngest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Serena Williams - Tennis legend and advocate for equality in sports, breaking records and barriers.
Simone Biles - Extraordinary gymnast with multiple Olympic gold medals.
Sojourner Truth - Abolitionist and women's rights activist who delivered the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech.
Storm Reid - Actress known for her roles in "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Euphoria."
Susan B. Anthony - Suffragette leader who fought tirelessly for women's voting rights.
Sylvia Earle - Renowned marine biologist and oceanographer.
Tavi Gevinson - A fashion blogger, actress, and founder of Rookie magazine.
Temple Grandin - An autistic advocate and animal behavior expert.
Valentina Tereshkova - The first woman in space, breaking barriers in the field of space exploration.
Venus and Serena Williams - Tennis legends and champions of women's sports.
Wonder Woman - The iconic superheroine who embodies strength, justice, and empowerment.
Yara Shahidi - An actress and activist for social and political