Here's Why Every Disney Princess Is Actually Empowering

People love ranking the Princesses from least to most feminist. Here's why they're all powerful in their own ways.

Everybody loves to hate the Disney Princesses, especially the early ones, because of them being bad role models. Although they have their flaws, here's why they're each powerful in their own way.

Snow White

Disney

Snow White is one of the most ridiculed Disney Princesses there is because she's "weak," "passive," and "stereotypical." While she may be traditionally "feminine," Snow White is actually stronger than people give her credit for. People seem to dislike her cleaning the dwarfs' house because it's "weak" or something, but she thinks they're orphan children and wants to help them. She teaches a group of men with no skills how to be actually functional. People also criticize her because she ends up with a prince. Love isn't inherently bad. Despite her being naïve, she remains kind and good despite all of the things that she's gone through. The story is a cautionary tale about jealousy because of the Evil Queen. If anybody is anti-feminist, it's her. Despite Snow White not being the most powerful of the Princesses and there is plenty to criticize, she's still a woman that does her own thing, even if it follows stereotypes. The prince kissing her is strange by modern standards, but let's remember that he's literally breaking a curse. Without him kissing her, she would be dead. She is saved by a man, I'll give people that, but she also does plenty of things on her own.

"I’m sure I’ll get along somehow. Everything’s going to be alright."

Cinderella

Disney

Cinderella is without a doubt the most underappreciated powerful princess in Disney Princess history. She survives years of abuse and remains kind to all those around her. Why does she not escape herself? She has nowhere to go! Where could she have gone? She has no friends and her dad is dead. She didn't go to the ball to meet a prince, she just went for a night off. People also ridicule her for not being able to make a dress herself and needing the Fairy Godmother, but... what? After the pink one is torn up, she has no other option. Also, although Prince Charming whisks her away, she does escape that room herself and provides the other slipper. She mostly saves herself once Prince Charming gives her the means to escape, which she couldn't have had without help due to her circumstances.

"Well, there’s one thing: they can’t order me to stop dreaming."

Aurora

Disney

Okay, this one is definitely harder than the rest. Yes, she only has eighteen lines. Yes, she doesn't really do much. Yes, she has no part in her rescue. But she never gives up hope for her future and is kind to everyone. There is power in hope and kindness. People also complain about her ending up with a man, and again, there is no problem with love. Also, the kissing in her sleep is once again breaking a curse.

"They say if you dream a thing more than once, it’s sure to come true."

Ariel

Disney

Ariel isn't afraid to be herself. She's strong-willed and passionate. She does have a selfish and stubborn streak, but she does stand up for herself. She does not give up her legs for a man as people say. She's always wanted to be a human. And once again, ending up with a man does not make anybody less independent. In the end, her love with Eric does cause less of a rift between the humans and merfolk, which is a feat in itself.

"Who says that my dreams have to stay my dreams?"

Belle

Disney

People don't insult Belle that much, and for good reason. Belle is smart and stands up for herself, whether it's against Gaston's sexual harassment or the Beast's disrespect. She's not afraid to be herself in a town where everyone save Maurice is the same. And please stop saying she has Stockholm Syndrome. She falls in love with the Beast after he saves her life. She also stands up to him, which is uncommon in Stockholm Syndrome (which only affects approximately 25% of kidnappees). Also, please stop saying it's bestiality. He's a human. God.

"Well, some people use their imagination."

Jasmine

Disney

Okay, we all love Jasmine. She's not a prize to be won! She stands up for herself, does her own thing, and is truly empowering and sends a good message. Need I say more? We love Jasmine.

"I am not a prize to be won."

Pocahontas

Disney

I'm going to right off the bat say that yes, this movie is extremely historically inaccurate and racist at times. But if you look at Pocahontas as a character, dang is she awesome. She's smart, she's strong, and she accepts all people. She teaches John Smith how to paint with all the colors of the wind, guys! The whole indigenous-woman-falls-in-love-with-white-colonizer narrative is problematic, but if you look at Pocahontas as a character, she's amazing and very empowering.

"Sometimes, the right path isn't always the easiest."

Mulan

Disney

She's Mulan. Need I say more? Actually, I will say more. Somebody on Buzzfeed put her in second on a problematic list of Disney Princesses from most to least feminist (which is counterproductive, considering you're pitting women against each other in a "feminist" article) because she fell in love with a man. What? The woman saved China and she can't fall in love? Love is empowering and she remains independent. Independent girls that save China can fall in love with attractive military captains with big muscles. It's allowed.

"You said you trust Ping. Why is Mulan any different?"

Tiana

Disney

She's a princess AND a businesswoman? Amazing! She's smart, she's empowered, she's strong, she's the coolest. Also, she never exploits anybody, even her rich friend. She also makes Naveen much better than he was before. Which was hard. Overall, she's extremely hardworking and dedicated. Also, people complain that she was a frog for most of the movie? She's still herself and it's called "THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG." What did you expect? The movie was marketed in a way that showed that SHE WAS A FROG. Yes, there needs to be more representation of black people in Disney, but she was a black woman in real life that was under a spell. A spell that was the plot of the movie. But she's empowering throughout, frog or not. Truly a feminist icon.

"The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work."

Rapunzel

Disney

She makes the most of her situation, she's smart, she's optimistic, and has fun. She doesn't leave the tower until Flynn comes because she wouldn't be able to navigate outside of the tower without somebody who knows what it's like outside. She's strong throughout the movie, in her tower or not, and she stands up to people when she needs to. She also has a frying pan to hit people with. Frying pan princess!

"No! I won’t stop. For every minute of the rest of my life I will fight."

Merida

Disney

She changes her fate! She's good at archery! She wants to pave her own way! She follows her own path! She's independent! She's, well, brave! She's Merida and she's truly a feminist icon.

"There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it."

Elsa

Disney

Okay. I know that Elsa and Anna aren't technically Disney Princesses because their merch did too well and they would cannibalize the lineup. I know this and I don't care because I want to talk about Frozen. Elsa truly loves and wants to protect her family. She follows her own path and learns to appreciate her powers. She may kind of run away from her problems, but she eventually comes around and saves Anna, learning to control her powers along the way.

"Here I stand in the light of day! Let the storm rage on! The cold never bothered me anyway."

Anna

Disney

Anna loves her family and loves to have a great time. When her sister runs away, she's ready to get her back and save Arendelle. She takes the reigns when she works with Kristoff and eventually does save Arendelle. I haven't seen Frozen II, but I'm sure she's cool in that, too.

"You tell me when, I'm ready to go. I was born ready!"

Moana

Disney

Who doesn't love Moana? She's strong, smart, funny, and dedicated. She does what she wants even though it goes against what was written for her and decides her own destiny. She's Moana of Motunui and she makes Maui work with her to restore the heart of Te Fiti. She saves the world! SHE IS MOANAAAAAAA!

"Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface … Far beneath, in some cases."