Entertainment

Mindy Kaling's 9 Greatest Contributions Prove Why She's 'Glamour's Woman of the Year

Mindy Kaling wrote in her life changing book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, "Everyone has a moment when they discover they love Amy Poehler." But I think it's just as true that everyone also has a moment when they discover they love Mindy Kaling. For me, it was when I first found The Office, my favorite TV show of all time. She pulled off Kelly Kapoor so flawlessly, and when I discovered she was responsible for writing many of my favorite one-liners? Kaling became my idol. And now, Glamour is having their moment. Kaling's officially been named one of the magazine's women of the year.

Aside from scoring a ridiculously gorgeous photo and write up in Glamour, Kaling has already contributed so much to society. After all, where would we be on Tuesday nights if not watching The Mindy Project? And on the days where we feel discouraged, how would we cope without Mindy's many words of wisdom to pull us through?

Click through to see everything Mindy's bestowed upon us — and don't worry, it's a lot.

by Nicole Pomarico

Her Twitter Account

Kaling’s twitter is full of gems like this one, whether she’s offering up a comic take on her daily workday struggles or actual words to live by. And for real, I wish I was a skinny foodie. They have all the luck.

Image: Twitter/@MindyKaling

And, of course, her Instagram posts

I love that Kaling isn’t shy about sharing behind the scenes photos from The Mindy Project, and that her captions are usually hilarious. I also secretly adore that she posts a photo just about every time she makes a purchase, because I may or may not be guilty of the same thing.

Image: MindyKaling/Instagram

Her adorable relationship with BJ Novak

OK, so it appears that (for now at least) they’re just friends, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that she and her former Office co-star end up living happily ever after. In the meantime, Kaling continues to provide us with adorable photos of her and her BFF hanging out together, and I’m not complaining.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Especially when it means she's part of his audiobook

If you haven’t read Novak’s masterpiece, One More Thing, you’re missing out — and you should probably download the audiobook ASAP. Kaling narrates one of Novak’s short stories, and I’m not going to ruin it for you, but it’s pretty much made for her.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?'

AKA one of the best books of all time. Kaling’s true comedic genius shines through on every page — mixed with a lot of anecdotes and advice that make you feel like she’s your best friend (my personal dream).

Image: Three Rivers Press

Kelly Kapoor: The Business Bitch

This is obvious, but where would we be without The Office? Even worse, where would we be without Kaling’s character, Kelly Kapoor? Answer: Crying and shaking in a corner somewhere. Kelly was equal parts nuts and basic bitch before the term “basic bitch” was ever a thing, and for that reason, I found her incredibly relatable.

Image: NBC

Obviously, 'The Mindy Project'

I would never be able to settle on a favorite episode or moment from The Mindy Project, so let’s just talk about the show as a whole. Mindy Lahiri has quickly become one of my favorite TV characters of all time, and just when I think I couldn’t love her any more, I do. And when you think about the fact that Kaling created the show, stars in it, and writes much of it? It’s awe inspiring… and also makes me feel like I’ve accomplished nothing in my life.

Image: Fox

Her fashion sense

Because who can deny Kaling always looks put together and flawless? I need her to be my personal stylist, you know, in all that free time she has.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

And, best of all, her Harvard commencement speech.

If you haven’t heard it, you need to. Kaling gave the commencement speech at Harvard’s 2014 graduation, and it was both funny and full of heart. The best part:

“And now with this diploma in hand, most of you will go on to the noblest of pursuits, like helping a cable company acquire a telecom company. You will defend BP from birds. You will spend hours arguing that the well water was contaminated well before the fracking occurred. One of you will sort out the details of my pre-nup. A dozen of you will help me with my acrimonious divorce. And one of you will fall in love in the process.”

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
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