I grew up watching Disney. To be honest, we all did; only some of us like watching Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. No disrespect, but I liked Nickelodeon; come on, SpongeBob was classic.

But let us return to Disney. I grew up watching Disney princesses, just as any other girl would.

When DVDs were still popular in 2010, my mother gifted me a collection of DVDs featuring all of the princesses. I grew up hoping for a Prince Charming and a nightlight beam to summon a fairy godmother who could transform my pyjamas into a stunning ball gown. That was my dream.

Seriously. See, I was born during the millennial age, just as it was transitioning to Gen Z.

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And I still don't challenge those convictions, I wasn't a Sephora kid. But let us come back to the matter at hand. Today, I look at Disney and compare these princess figures, and I realise that Disney did not offer fun to us kids, but rather worldviews, ideas, and a distinct twist. Growing up, renowned Disney princesses like Aurora and Cinderella spoke a different story, which we will decipher in this article.

The Portrayal of Women in Early Disney Movies

Let's be honest: when youngsters watch cartoons, they are influenced and strive to be like the characters. These characters frequently demonstrated compassion, warmth, and courage by sharing it with others around them. They were delicate and made a difference with the light energy they had.

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Even if I considered this to be somewhat discriminatory, we must realise that these attributes are indicative of a human being who is optimistic and strives for the best possible results. Why? Consider how these princesses, despite their exceptional qualities, waited for a prince to save them. What is wrong with that?

In this culture, women were portrayed as people who relied on others for independence and civility, as these princesses displayed. They did not rebel against the violent assault of their loved ones or witches. We were told we needed a prince to save us. Yes, this was acceptable between 1937 and 1959, when these films were released.

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A New Perspective—The Transition to Empowerment

What's the point? Now for the key point: following 1959, Disney's next film, The Little Mermaid, was released in 1989. And I call this a watershed moment for Disney. Consider this: since 1989, all Disney Princesses have been extensively decorated by girls my age or younger.

Ariel's character was a girl who took charge of her life, made her own choices, and created the life she wanted. She defeated Ursula herself instead of relying on a prince to do it. Soon, the character of Belle reinforced a dominant and strong personality.

Then came Mulan, a revitalising character. Mulan stood up for what she believed was right, she protected her family and nation, and she was both caring and bold. She knew exactly what to say and followed her heart.

She was both gentle and fierce. She was the ideal balance.

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Tiana, Rapunzel, Elsa, and Anna were all strong women who took charge of their own lives rather than relying on others to save them. As a feminist, I noticed the transition here. The women's power movement emerged in the 1980s, marking a time when women took authority.

Sure, they may have studied the trend and designed the characters appropriately, but what was the impact? I grew up watching these princesses.

How These Disney Princesses Influenced Me

Today, I am an activist, and we have many things in common. I am self-sufficient, take control of my life, speak out against injustice, understand how to balance family and duties, and am daring and fearless.

See, these are the values that Disney instilled in me and countless of other females. Women have suffered for years, from being instructed to do everything and serve, to being pressured and treated as if they were born servants. Have you heard the song "Labour" by Paris Paloma?

After all of this injustice, women are learning how to develop and make a difference, and their determination to stop the cycle of injustice is fueled by these princesses' characteristics. These aren't princesses; they're power symbols looking to make a big, strong statement.

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They taught me to fight for people's rights, to be brave even when they spoke behind my back or plotted against me, and to follow my heart, which is essential if we want to empower women. These are the characteristics required to break the chain and demonstrate to the world that a woman is capable of achieving anything. Auli'i Cravalho's iconic Design Channel song, "Live Your Narrative," constantly inspires women.

You may work in any field and yet make a difference; it's your life; make an impact with what you do. Remember Doc McStuffins? Make a difference; the world must change. Remember when Disney first showed how white-skinned ladies might be princesses?

But shortly after 1989, it showed how other skinned girls may be warriors. This demonstrates the point they have been emphasising. Breaking barriers in roles, faiths, circumstances, and race.

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An Empowering Narrative

Disney did not promote extreme ideals; rather, it sold values that may have served as the foundation for women's ideas about change.

We are change agents, and as activists, we influence people to make a change or to introduce a thought that fuels them, but Disney did so effortlessly, and many women are recognising this change today; we are fuelled by this drive, and this is something film-makers, influencers, and other influential people and industries should and can understand.

We need entertainment, but we need revolutionary entertainment that inspires change and sells a story, a narrative that makes a difference and empowers youth.

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