Game of Thrones: 10 Times Girls Run the World in Season 6

How She Slays: Like many of the strong women on this list, Cersei literally slays on Game of Thrones. In the season six finale, the queen mother finally gets her revenge on the High Sparrow and the Faith of the Seven — she even kills three Tyrells in the process. Cersei loses her last child, Tommen, to suicide, but she barely blinks an eye. Instead, she ascends to take the crown . . . and the Iron Throne.

How She Slays: After spending a whole season biding time in the House of Black and White, Arya finally decides that serving the Many-Faced God is not really her thing. To get out of her contract, she kills the bloodthirsty waif in complete darkness before getting back to her real mission: dispatching those that appear on her short but vital kill list. The season comes to a close, but not before she slits Walder Frey's throat.

How She Slays: At this point, Daenerys is pretty poised to take the Iron Throne from Cersei's ruthless hands. Over the course of this season, this Targaryen beauty has done so much. She destroys Vaes Dothrak and earns the allegiance of the Dothraki army. She tames all her dragons and uses them to restore peace to Meereen. She makes alliances with Dorne and the Greyjoys of the Iron Islands, and then she sets off for King's Landing. This woman knows what she wants, and she isn't afraid to demand it.

How She Slays: Brienne might be the most loyal warrior in the entire Game of Thrones universe. After dispatching Stannis Baratheon — an act of revenge as consolation for the devastating loss of Renly Baratheon — Brienne dutifully swears to protect Sansa Stark at all costs. She acts as a noble protector all season; she helps Sansa get safely to Castle Black, she provides support during a charged meeting with Littlefinger, and she even stands up to her old friend Jaime Lannister in the name of honor.

How She Slays: Sansa has come a long way from her humble, helpless beginnings in King's Landing. In fact, season six has solidified her status as one of the show's most badass characters. After escaping Ramsay Bolton, she battles the cold to reunite with her brother, Jon Snow. Then, she helps Jon rally forces for the seizure of Winterfell, she confronts Littlefinger about his wrongdoings, and she gives Ramsay his ultimate comeuppance.

How She Slays: After the death of her father, Yara is determined to become Queen of the Iron Islands . . . the first queen to ever rule the Iron Islands, for that matter. Even when her Uncle Euron is selected over her, she steals the Iron Fleet and beats Euron to Meereen. Once there, she makes an alliance with Daenerys, thereby securing her eventual reign over her homeland.

How She Slays: Well, first of all, Lyanna Mormont is a 10-year-old girl who runs Bear Island. If that's not enough to convince you that she's a badass, consider this: in the finale, it's Lyanna's rousing speech that bands all the local houses together to declare Jon Snow King of the North. That's power.

How She Slays: Lady Olenna has always had something up her sleeve. She is, after all, the one who kills Joffrey Baratheon at his own wedding. By the end of season six, she's hellbent on getting her revenge on Cersei Lannister. She's a key component in a new alliance between Daenerys Targaryen and Dorne — one that just might help the Mother of Dragons take the Iron Throne.

How She Slays: Ellaria is, of course, responsible for the death of Myrcella Baratheon, but it goes much deeper than just that. After the death of her lover, Oberyn Martell, Ellaria seems to lose all shreds of mercy. She orchestrates a coup and kills King Doran Martell and his heir, Trystane, vowing that "weak men will never rule Dorne again." Then, she takes the throne.

How She Slays: I mean, Melisandre does the impossible: she brings Jon Snow back from the dead. It's clear she holds great power and can harness ancient magic. Jon Snow may have sent her away, but given the fact that she could reunite with Arya very soon, we have a feeling she's not done making her mark.