15 most empowering female Disney characters of all time

Magical and larger than life, Elsa is the perfect mythic character—but she can’t help but wonder why she was born with powers. What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? Featuring Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Magical and larger than life, Elsa is the perfect mythic character—but she can’t help but wonder why she was born with powers. What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? Featuring Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved. /
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 14: Actor Irene Bedard (POCAHONTAS) of RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios John Lasseter took part today in the Walt Disney Studios animation presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 will be released in U.S. theaters on November 21, 2018. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) /

7. Pocahontas

As the years have gone by, time has probably been most unkind to Pocahontas. But that’s because Disney’s version of it is very different from Pocahontas’ actual story. Even so, the animated version of her shouldn’t be totally counted out.

In this story, Pocahontas is all about finding the right path for herself. She struggles with whether she should choose the smoothest course, steady as the beating drum or hold out for something that might be better. But, at the same time, she’s not even sure that something better is coming.

When she meets John Smith, everything changes for her. She teaches him about the beauty of her land. More importantly, she realizes that war will do nothing but hurt everyone involved. When the moment of truth comes, Pocahontas casts herself in front of her father’s club to save John Smith and unite their people.

But the best part is, she doesn’t actually leave her people to follow John Smith back to England. Pocahontas knows that if he’s going to survive, he needs to go home, but that her place is in her home.

It’s the hard choice, but it’s what’s right for everyone, and it’s what makes Pocahontas such an inspiring character when all is said and done.