From Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”and “Sleeping Beauty,” where the main protagonist fall into the arms of a prince and get married in the morning, Disney has made great strides in creating more characters who are strong, independent role models for young children and adults alike.The past few decades have gradually increased the number of feminist Disney women, who are fully capable of saving themselves, achieving their goals, and living their best life without a man.
Mulan shows the world that a women can do anything a man can do and do it better. She is brave, strong, and everything I strive to be as a woman.
2. Tiana – Princess and the Frog
Diligence and dedication to her dream, Tiana works multiple jobs to achieve her goals, rather than relying on a man to provide for her. Tiana is the ultimate image of strength.
3. Merida – Brave
Merida doesn’t need a man, and she makes it very clear. Despite her parents expectations for their royal daughter, Merida defies the stereotypical idea that a woman’s main focus is marriage. In fact, she even competes for her own hand, and wins over her numerous suitors.
4. Moana – Moana
Moana is strong and independent.Her story is not about finding a love interest; it is about finding herself and saving her island.
5. Judy Hopps – Zootopia
Judy had always dreamed of being a police officer. Despite her sex and species, she had no qualms about joining the male dominate work force as a bunny; instead, she used the adversity as her motivation to achieve her dreams.
6. Elsa – Frozen
Elsa is another woman, who does not need a man to rule by her side. With great power and responsibility, Elsa makes the hard decisions that she believes are in favor of her kingdom, and leads with the proper poise of a queen.
7. Jasmine – Aladdin
Jasmine too struggles with the societal expectation of arranged marriages for royalty and women in general.She rejects each suitors that pursues an ingenuine relationship with her, and announces “I am not a prize to be won!”Ultimately, she escapes from the suffocating rule of the palace to find her own way as an independent woman, and when she returns to take her place as ruler, she rewrites the law to allow herself and every woman after the freedom to control their own futures.
8. Vanellope Von Schweetz – Wreck-It Ralph
Princess/ President Vanellope is an interesting character. Before she reached her current social status, she faced adversity as everyone in her game berated her by telling her that as a glitch, she would never amount to anything. However, Vanellope had her dream, and refused to have anyone tell her otherwise. She stayed true to herself, innovated her identity as a racer, and orchestrated a plan to achieve her dream of being a big time racer.
9. Elastigirl – The Incredibles
It’s not a stretch when I say Elastigirl is a true feminist. She values the importance of her family, and dedicates her life to raising her children. Yet, when duty calls, she makes the sacrifices necessary, adapting to her old superhero life, and tackles danger with fearlessness and strength.
10. Pocahontas – Pocahontas
Pocahontas has her love story, but stronger than her love for John Smith, she love her people.She shows John the importance of nature in the world, and encourages him to respect the world. However, when he leaves, she doesn’t follow him; she stays where she has made her own way.
11. Megara – Hercules
Her quote, “I’m a damsel, I’m in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day,” speaks for itself in terms of her being a strong independent woman.
Disney continues to head in the direction of feminist characters through their new productions and live action films that repaint previously hapless characters into strong, independent women.
Hero Image: Unsplash