15 most empowering female Disney characters of all time
By Andi Ortiz
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.