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‘Jane the Virgin’ isn’t just a telenovela heroine, she’s an inspiration

“Jane the Virgin” not only got pregnant without having sex, she did something equally groundbreaking: The character has helped to represent Hispanics and inspire a generation of girls and young women

In the run-up to the premiere back in 2014, there was a lot of talk about how “Jane the Virgin” would be a pioneer. There had never been a successful, hourlong show focused on Hispanic actors and characters on an English-language, American broadcast network.

Star Gina Rodriguez was certainly aware of that. She said she became an actor because “I never saw myself on screen,” adding that she hoped that girls would see her on “Jane the Virgin” and say, “Well, Gina’s like me, Maybe not necessarily the same skin color, maybe not necessarily the same background, but that’s me.