With the new shows on Disney + like the recently debuted Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which premieres on August 17th, it seems that Marvel is shifting some focus to projects that have a female lead. That being said, the MCU has delivered many female superheroes over the years.
By bringing these heroes to life from the pages of their comics, Marvel has provided powerful role models to look up to. While all of the MCU heroines can certainly hold their own in a fight, some of them have had some especially empowering moments that left a lasting impact on the viewers.
Hawkeye
"When I Put This Suit On I Thought 'This Is It. This Is The Moment I Become Who I'm Supposed To Be'."
Kate Bishop is one of the newest additions to the MCU. Her journey to becoming the next Hawkeye is just beginning, but her feelings of being out of place and longing to put her archery skills to use may be behind her. Kate finding the Ronin suit is the start of her coming into her own and becoming an Avengers-level hero.
Though Clint is reluctant to team up, Kate quickly shows him that she's a worthy partner. She is not a replacement for Clint but will be putting her own spin on the Hawkeye mantle. Her quick wit and fast friendships with Clint and Yelena has made her an instant fan favorite.
Xu Xialing
"If My Dad Wasn't Going To Let Me Into His Empire, I Was Going To Build My Own."
Xu Xialing had been pushed aside her whole life, unable to train with her brother. She later built up her fight club, even attracting powerful people like Wong. She proved to everyone that she shouldn't be underestimated, her strong leadership capabilities and exceptional martial arts skill made her the unexpected new leader of the Ten Rings.
In the end credits, boys and girls are shown training side by side, showing that Xu Xialing intends to pass on her knowledge and learn from her father's mistakes. Her brother, Shang-Chi, may be on his way to becoming an Avenger, but Xialing certainly has plans of her own. In fact, she is a non-powered MCU character that could easily have her own movie or series.
Nebula
"You Can Change."
This simple quote is said by current Nebula to past Nebula. While battling her former self, Nebula tells her past self to abandon Thanos and help them defeat him. Past Nebula claims Thanos won't let her change, that this is what she is. This is a very clear way to show Nebula's growth as a character.
Nebula has transformed from being cold, and angry and never showing emotion to becoming a Guardian, caring for Tony on the ship after the fight on Titan, and being a true sister to Gamora. Even though she undergoes a significant change in her character arc, her strength and fearlessness always remain.
Monica Rambeau
"I Can't Control This Pain Anymore. And I Don't Think I Want To, Because It's My Truth."
Monica Rambeau hasn't been seen since the finale of WandaVision but her character was left with many cliffhangers, making fans anxiously wait for her return. After coming back from The Blip, Monica discovers her mother had died, though she is devastated, she decides to return to S.W.O.R.D to help with the Wanda situation.
Monica appears to be the only one who sympathizes with Wanda, sharing some of that same grief of losing loved ones. Monica took the time to try and talk to Wanda, and let her know she was not alone. Monica, however, doesn't let her grief consume her and instead will use her powers for good and to make her mother proud.
Ms. Marvel
"Cosmic."
Kamala Khan, also known as Ms.Marvel, is one of the newest heroes introduced on Disney +. Her journey to becoming a hero is just beginning, after unlocking her new powers from the bangle at Avengers Con, she's caught sneaking into her room late by her mother.
Her mother asks her who she wants to be in this world, meaning that Kamala should leave her childish daydreaming in the past and focus on her future, but when her mother leaves Kamala studies her glowing powers and utters the word, "Cosmic." This is one of Kamala's best quotes as it shows her embracing her new life, her dream is finally becoming a reality. Though she may not realize the danger coming her way, she knows becoming a hero is who she is truly meant to be.
Yelena Belova
"I Was The Chore, The Job, You Didn't Want To Do. To Me, You Were Everything."
Yelena was a scene-stealer in Black Widow and is an MCU female superhero deserving of her own show. was desperate to hold on to her Ohio family, she truly thought of Natasha as her sister and Melina as her mother. But it seems like the others had moved on completely.
Natasha had assumed the Red Room didn't exist anymore and that Yelena had escaped as she had, Melina was unaware her mind control experiments were being tested on her, and Alexi was in prison thinking Natasha and Yelena had enjoyed their upbringing. It's only when they all come together again that they realize how real it was to her. Yelena may be a trained assassin, but she had always held on to the hope her family could be together again.
Okoye
"For Wakanda? Without Question."
Okoye is the fierce leader of the Dora Milaje. She shows unwavering loyalty to Wakanda in the final battle of Black Panther. Her husband, W'kabi, tries to lower her defenses by asking if she really would kill him and she responds with no hesitation. Okoye is a respected citizen of Wakanda, she is very proud of her country and devoted to the royal family.
In the five years after The Blip, she seems to become a de facto leader and when the Dora Milaje make an appearance in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, she's not with them. This could mean she has continued this higher leadership role and will stay close to Shuri and the Queen.
Black Widow
"Thank You For Your Cooperation."
This line is said by Natasha twice in the MCU, and is one of Black Widow's most memorable quotes in the MCU. The first time she says it in The Avengers, manipulating Loki into telling her his true plan of unleashing the Hulk on everyone on the Helicarrier. Tricking the God Of Mischief is no small feat, Natasha may not have a suit of armor or magical powers, but she's certainly earned her place among Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
The next time she says it is to Dreykov, once again getting him to tell her his exact plan. She then kills him, ending the Red Room for good and freeing hundreds of women from his control. Her power lies in deception and espionage, she shows these skills in almost every movie she's a part of, Black Widow is certainly not to be messed with.
Scarlet Witch
"I Don't Need You To Tell Me Who I Am."
One of the most powerful moments in WandaVision is when Wanda finally accepts her destiny as the Scarlet Witch. After Agatha has tormented her with heartbreaking memories and threatened her family, Wanda is pushed to her limit and becomes her true self. But all she ever wanted was to keep her husband and children safe and create a life with them.
Creating the Hex had consequences that she had to face, and that meant losing everything she worked for. But Wanda vows to understand her new power, and with the Darkhold in hand, she's determined to find happiness once again. Through her grief and heartbreak may push her over the edge, there's no question that everything Wanda does comes from her love for Vision and their children.
Captain Marvel
"I Have Nothing To Prove To You."
Carol had been fighting with the Kree for what she thought was her whole life, training with Yon-Rogg, who was holding her back the whole time. After freeing herself from mind control, she helps the Skrulls find a new home and finish what Mar-Vell started.
She beats the Supreme Intelligence and is ready to embrace her full powers, when Yon-Rogg tries to goad her into a fight, Carol realizes she doesn't owe him anything, not even a fight. Carol had been pushed down her whole life, but she gets up every time to show everyone how strong she is. It's her determination and courage that inspires Nick Fury to create the Avengers Initiative.