50 influential fictional women in nerd history

Mulan

Come on, who didn’t grow up watching Mulan and feeling like you can fight an entire army? There is something so empowering about seeing Mulan take on the Huns, even though she had to disguise herself to do so. We’re so used to seeing girls in movies stand on the sidelines, but she took her fate into her own hands and did what was necessary for her family and for China.

Growing up, many of us were told we couldn’t do things because they were for boys. Whether it was sports or liking superheroes or even just playing outside, it hurt to b told you couldn’t simply because of your gender.

Mulan taught us that we don’t have to be limited. If we want to fight alongside men, we can. If we want to defend our country, we have that ability. Mulan is a girl who is trying to find her place in the world and makes sure she follows her beliefs. There’s no other word for it but inspiring.

Now that they are making a live-action movie, a whole new generation will get to feel that same inspiring notion all over, and it is amazing. It is cheesy, sure, but the line “when will my reflection show who I am inside” inspired so many of us to be true to ourselves. We all owe that to Mulan.