First of all, let’s just get this straight. Mulan was one of the first Disney “princesses” that wasn’t a damsel in distress. She is awesome and a role model just for that. This is also why she was and still is my absolute favorite Disney “princess”.

1. Family Always Comes First

For those of you that are not familiar with the story, Mulan is set during a time of war in China. The government was requiring one man from each family to serve in the military. Mulan’s father was the only many in her family, but he was also older and not physically able to serve his country. Mulan, being the boss she is, cut her hair and dressed as a man so that she could take her father’s place.

2. Gender Roles Do Not Matter.

I think this is the main reason I loved Mulan so much as a young girl. I had, and still have, dreams of breaking through social constructs and being a strong influence for young women. Mulan not only did something that women didn’t do during this time period, she was AWESOME at it.

3. Be Kind To Everyone, You Never Know When You’ll Need a Friend.

Yao, Ling, and Po were not Mulan’s biggest fans for the first part of the movie. But she continued to work on her abilities and was kind to them, so eventually, they all became close. Later in the movie, of course, those friendships became vital and the three of them came in clutch to help Mulan out.

4. You Never Know Where You’ll Find Your “Mr. Right.”

I mean, come on, at training camp? Where you’re dressed as a dude?

5. You Are Much Stronger Than You Think.

If you haven’t watched Mulan, you’re missing out. I still get inspired by Mulan in all of the training camp scenes. She not only proved to everyone else she was strong enough to be there, she proved it to herself, too.

6. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

Seriously, just watch it. It’s a Disney classic and a total girl power movie.