We have people say, 'There's not enough women writers.' I have a
We have people say, 'There's not enough women writers.' I have a writers room that is almost nothing but women over at 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Shonda Rhimes, master storyteller and builder of worlds, once declared with quiet triumph: “We have people say, ‘There’s not enough women writers.’ I have a writers’ room that is almost nothing but women over at Grey’s Anatomy.” In these words she shatters the myth of scarcity. For the world has long whispered that women’s voices in storytelling are few, fragile, or absent. Rhimes replies not with complaint but with proof: that when the gates are opened, the voices of women rush in like a flood.
The origin of this saying lies in Hollywood, where for generations women were pushed to the margins of creative power. The industry proclaimed there were “not enough women” to lead, to write, to shape the stories that millions consume. But Rhimes, rising as one of the most powerful figures in television, revealed the falsehood of this claim. By filling her writers’ room with women, she demonstrated that talent was never lacking—only opportunity. What she built became both a sanctuary and a declaration: women’s stories could stand at the center, not the edges.
History echoes her triumph. In the age of Mary Shelley, who penned Frankenstein, the world marveled at her genius, yet dismissed her as an exception, as though women could not craft great literature. Centuries later, when Toni Morrison wrote with the force of ancestral memory, she too was treated as rare, not as proof of abundance. Rhimes’s words cut through this same illusion. She reminds us that the well of women’s creativity was always overflowing—it was simply dammed by the walls of exclusion.
In her sisterhood of writers, Rhimes forged more than a television show. She created a living argument against patriarchy’s lie. Each woman’s voice, layered into the tapestry of Grey’s Anatomy, became part of a larger chorus, offering stories of healing, grief, love, and resilience. Their collective labor proved that women’s experiences are not niche, but universal; not hidden, but radiant when given room to flourish.
Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, let this lesson endure: never again believe the myth of absence when it comes to women’s gifts. The writers are here, the storytellers are ready, the voices are many. All that is required is the courage to open the door. For when women are given space to speak, they do not whisper—they remake the world in story and in truth.
GTGiang Tran
Rhimes’ perspective is refreshing, especially given how often the conversation around gender in writing tends to focus on what’s missing, rather than what’s being done right. But is it enough for women to simply be in the room? How do we ensure that women’s perspectives and ideas are truly shaping the narratives? And beyond quantity, how do we create space for diverse female voices and stories to be the driving force in more areas of media?
HDHang Dinh
This quote from Shonda Rhimes makes me think about how the entertainment industry is often quick to declare a problem without looking at the progress being made. The fact that Rhimes’ writers room is mostly women seems to push back against the idea that the industry is excluding women from creative roles. But how much of this is truly representative of the larger industry? Are there still barriers that women face in terms of power and influence, even when they’re writing the stories?
LTLoan Thi
I find it interesting that Rhimes is challenging the common narrative about the lack of women writers. It seems like the issue is not so much that there aren’t enough women, but rather that their voices often go unheard or unrecognized. What can be done to elevate these women and ensure that their work is given the visibility it deserves? Is the focus on ‘not enough women writers’ really an excuse for a deeper systemic issue in the industry?
HPHai Pham
Rhimes’ quote is an important reminder that women have always had a strong presence in writing rooms, even when the narrative often focuses on the lack of representation. Could the problem be more about whose voices and contributions are highlighted? How much of the conversation around women writers is shaped by stereotypes, and how do we create more awareness about the women who are already leading in these spaces?
Vvumuaacc
Shonda Rhimes’ comment sheds light on an interesting point: the assumption that there aren’t enough women writers in the industry. But is it really about quantity, or is it about visibility and recognition? It’s great that Rhimes has created a space with so many women writers, but why do we still see this perception that women are underrepresented in storytelling, especially when shows like 'Grey’s Anatomy' challenge that idea?