Oscar Winning Frozen has taken over the world, toppling the likes of The Lion King as the new #1 Disney Animated film of all time! 



Queen Elsa and Princess Anna

We are, for the first time, introduced to a fairy tale where TRUE LOVE is expressed in an entirely new light and Lord help the misters who come between these sisters!!!   Elsa and Anna have redefined the expectations of little girls everywhere and, for the first time, warned us all Prince Charming is probably a jerk and to not overlook the flawed boy next door.   I absolutely adore this movie and everything about it!  However, these two young women are not the first in Disney's brand to be an example of how girls can accomplish whatever they put their minds to...and not only save themselves, but their girlfriends/sisters as well!  



Don't get me wrong, I am hooked on Frozen as much as the next person (and most days I find myself singing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman", which is slightly ironic being a Jersey Girl, as we have just made it through a very long winter and the sun is finally shining!)...But, I digress....Although, this blog is not to take away from one of the greatest Disney Fairy Tales ever displayed onscreen (especially written by a woman which explains the theme of sisterhood and girl power) however, my purpose is to highlight a few Disney females who have never needed a man to help them out of a bind.   They work, have talents all their own, and most of all, work together all the while expressing their feelings, their flaws, and sometimes, caddy natures.   Although, they are fictional characters, even by fairy tale standards, they are worth recognizing for being strong examples of independence, friendship, and strength.

I am, of course, speaking of Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies!!!

 

 



 

"You better believe it!"


It All Begins with Tinker Bell

 

 

 

We first met Tinker Bell, the pioneer Disney Fairy and symbol of "girl power", as the little girl friend of Peter Pan.  Pan was created by a man named J.M Barrie in 1902.   That's right!   The boy who never grows up is actually over 100 years old!!!!   The story behind the creation of Peter Pan is actually a very sad one.    You see, J.M. Barrie had an older brother who tragically died in an ice skating accident just one day before his 14th birthday, leaving him forever young in the mind of his mother.   Barrie wrote many stories beginning with "The Little White Bird" starring Peter Pan, and his books, believe it or not, were written for adult readers.   (It was over a hundred years ago in dare I say a more innocent time?).   Most of us, at least in my age group, are more familiar with the release of the 1952 Disney adaptation of Peter Pan!   (No, we're not that old...my mother was only a mere baby at the time but you know what I mean...)

 

 

 

Tinkerbell and Peter Pan

 

Granted, Tink's come a long way since the days of hanging out with Peter Pan and the lost boys who, respectively, would have even been more lost without her powers of pixie dust allowing them and Peter the ability to fly through Neverland without a care in the world!   Sure, she was flawed, had some insecurities, and expressed her jealousy of the revered Wendy when she and her brothers found themselves in Neverland.    Who wouldn't be?   It is not uncommon for a girl to feel threatened by another when they are used to all the attention being on themselves.   Come on girls...admit it.   lol....But, in the end, she did the right thing.   Whether it was out of respect for Peter or a feeling of morality, she ultimately got over her pity party and helped get Wendy and her brothers home!

 

 



Okay, so maybe she more than a little spiteful, but, as I mentioned, she's come a long way since then!

 

 

Today, Tinkerbell spends her time in with her friends in Pixie Hollow.   Tinkering away and creating new an original ways to use what Fairy Mary refers to as "garbage" to invent all sorts of things to make the lives of her fairy friends easier and more efficient.   It is here, that we see the true nature of Tink and meet an array of female fairies who are not only excellent role models for our little girls, but they are also more realistic in the ways girls interact with one another!

 

 

 

Tinker Bell in "The Great Fairy Rescue"

 

 

It is in this story we are introduced to Vidia, a fast-flying fairy who is accompanying Tink in exploring the out-skirts of Pixie Hollow to find a few things that may be used in making more gadgets and gizmos.    We see her losing her patience as Tinkerbell talks away and Vidia just wants her to stop talking.   (We've all had a friend like that...or a day where we just want to get things done quickly and get back to our lives!)...Also, Vidia is all too aware of how reckless her friend can be and is not very comfortable venturing too far from home.   Especially, when she fears humans may be near!   Even though she has about "had it" with Tinker Bell's incessant chatter and, how she sees it, irresponsible ways, she doesn't hesitate to help her friend when she finds herself in a bind.  

 

Vidia

 

 













 

  She is a fast-flying talent fairy who is no nonsense, a little impatient, and anything but naive.

 

 

From this point on, I'd like to quickly run through a list of Disney Fairies who have proven time and again, they are completely and totally self-sufficient, hard working, and would do anything to help to their friends.   And P.S.   Never once, do we hear or see them looking for a fairy "Prince Charming" to save them!



 



Iridessa

 

 

Voiced by Raven-Symoné (the little girl who stole our hearts on The Cosby Show), Iridessa is a fairy

who's talent is light!

 

Lumina

 

 





A fairy of Irish decent...partner of Iridessa...also a light-fairy.

 

Rosetta

 

 

A garden/plant talent fairy...

 

Fawn

 

 

 

A bit of a "Tom Boy"...Fawn's talent is animals.   She is mischievous and always ready to get into trouble!

 

 

Silvermist

 



 

"Inspiration Comes in Waves"

 

Voiced by Lucy Lui, Silvermist is a water-talent fairy of Asian descent.

 

 

Marina

 

 

I am going to highlight this fiery fairy as my all-time favorite!   Partner to Marina, also a water fairy...this chick's from New Jersey!!!! (No lie...Disney specifies her as being of  NEW JERSEY descent!)   Woot Woot!!! Say it like you mean it!

 

 

Lyria

 

 

 Lyria is a story telling fairy of Scottish descent.   She is most popularly recognized from "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure".

 

 

Periwinkle

 

 

 

Said to be Tinker Bell's twin sister...born from the same baby's laugh...Periwinkle lives in the

 Winter Woods. 

 

Fairy Mary

 

 

 

Fairy Mary is of English descent and is the charge of the fairies.    She not only over-sees what the fairies do...but is also responsible for them.   She is the mother-figure fairy.

 

 

Queen Clarion

 

 

Voiced by Academy Award Winner Angelica Houston, Clarion is Queen of Pixie Hollow.   Also, she is forced to live separately from her true love, the King of Winter Woods.  

 

 

 

There are many other Disney Fairies, including Ivy, Viola, Lilac, and Zarina, among others.   My point is to not forget who pioneered strength and independence for little girls...

 

And let us take a moment to wish Sabastian luck...He is Tinker Bell's best friend, is absolutely in LOVE with her, and is still waiting to get his girl!

 

 

 Someday Sabastian...Someday. xo

 

 

 Sabastian and Blaze...He gets it;)

 

 

 

Once again, I would just like to reiterate what a wonderful story of the love between sisters and amazing movie we have all found in Frozen.   I am so thankful my daughters have such strong role models.  However, I just wanted to take a moment to recognize the other strong females in our daughters' fairy tales.... from the Pixie Hollow Fairies, Elsa and Anna, (not to forget Mulan), to Doc McStuffins....its good to be a Disney girl!

 



 

 "Come on Girls...Lets show the world what we're made of!!!"

 

 

 

Just an aside:   I would mention "Brave", however, she was too young to get married anyway!!!   Merida is a strong girl and a relatable princess!   In my opinion, her parents were creeps trying to marry her off at such a young age!   ;)