Since childhood, Disney has been a staple for most of our lives. Many of the characters have inspired us to be who we are today, and there have been many life lessons to be learned. They show us what it means to have strength, be brave, stand up and believe in ourselves, and to do what's right. The Disney women have really portrayed these characteristics and much more. Here are just a few.
1. Mulan
Mulan makes it at the top of this list for good reason. A young girl who does not want to conform to her society's culture, and want's to discover herself in her own way. When her father, an already wounded veteran, is drafted for the war that he couldn't possibly bare, she steals his war attire, bluntly cuts her hair, and impersonates a man to enlist in the war just so he doesn't have to. She certainly struggles to keep up with the other men at first, but perseveres and comes out on top. Even after being discovered, she still comes through, and not only saves the Emperor, but the entirety of China as well. No one can deny that this girl has guts.
2. Princess Jasmine
This is a woman who knows what she wants, and refuses to conform to the "princess role", even though she is one. She wants to discover the world, and what is beyond her palace's walls. She's definitely strong-willed and has a lot of vigor. She marries a "street rat" rather than enters into an arranged marriage with another prince. And come on, she owns a pet tiger!
3. Anna
This girl is another one who doesn't lose her spunk, or her inner child. She refuses to take no for an answer when she asks Kristoff to take her to the North Mountain where Elsa has flown off to. She's the ultimate reason the eternal winter stops, sacrificing herself for her sister. Now that's love...and empowering!
4. Elsa
Now this woman has some power! I mean...who else can manipulate the elements to make a gigantic castle of ice? She's been hiding from her powers most of her life since that incident with Anna, but after being discovered at her coronation, she decided enough is enough. She won't "hold it back anymore"!
5. Rapunzel
She's a bit gullible at first, being locked in that tower for years believing it's for her own safety. She certainly knows how to keep herself busy! However, she takes no crap from Flynn, or anybody for that matter—especially
when she learns the truth of her kidnapping. She even cuts off all those beautiful locks just so her evil "mother" can no longer use their powers.
6. Pocahontas
She's certainly a free spirit, never really following her tribe's ways of life. She protects someone who they think is an enemy, but saves her people at the same time. She has her own path she wants to follow; she will not follow one that someone else chooses for her.
7. Belle
A sweet girl that everyone in town finds a bit strange—all because
of her love for reading and independence! She'd much rather be seen with her head stuck in a book than at a man's side. Although she has a gentle demeanor, she has no issue telling Gaston to hit the road. She even has the patience to deal with the Beast, and eventually falls in love with his rough personality. She changes him for the better, and any woman who can do that is amazing!
8. Nala
Although she's not a human, she's still got that feisty woman personality. She's been able to pin Simba to the ground since cubhood. She's even the first step to bringing Simba home and saving the Pride Lands—taking
none of his nonsense excuses. You go lioness!
9. Merida
This fiery redhead doesn't take orders from anyone—not even her own parents.
She refuses an arranged marriage, wears no makeup, and she doesn't need a man to save her. Let's face it, she's like the Katniss Everdeen of Disney. Let's not forget that amazing hair!
10. Elizabeth Swann
From baring dresses to baring swords, this is one Disney woman you do not want to mess with! She certainly can keep a level-head when being kidnapped at gunpoint by a bunch of grungy pirates. She walks the plank with some sass, and burns all the rum! This Governor's daughter knows how to hold her own, and marries herself a pirate.
