There was a time when the MCU was devoid of strong female stories. Back in Phases 1 and 2, women were relegated to stereotypes like helpless romantic interest (Jane Foster, Pepper Potts) and one-dimensional sidekick (Lady Sif, Maria Hill). Thankfully, the Kevin Feige-led franchise has firmly committed to expanding representation in its films and TV series.

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If that “A-Team Assemble” shot in Avengers: Endgame is any indication, powerful arcs about women are fast becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Among all the female narratives so far in the MCU, ten are worthy of revisiting as the world celebrates International Women History's Month.

Shuri: The Princess Prodigy

Shuri speaking with T'Challa

In a film that boasts the MCU’s finest characterization, Shuri steals every scene that she’s in. The Wakandan genius has many audacious one-liners, including a snappy admonition of Western oppressors (“Don’t scare me like that, colonizer!”) And her best impression of a Vine meme ("The real question is, what are thoooose?").

Beyond the comic relief, though, Shuri teaches her big brother a lesson that is central to his character growth. Before T’Challa’s coronation, she reminds him: “Just because something works, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.” By the film’s end, T’Challa was exploring innovations in foreign policy as Wakanda was poised to open up to the rest of the world. Well done, princess!

Kate Bishop: The Young Avenger

Kate Bishop aiming an arrow

It’s hard not to like a maverick spirit played by the bubbly Hailee Steinfeld. In the Disney+ series Hawkeye, Kate Bishop grapples with an emotional coming-of-age story, while adding much-needed depth to the often overshadowed Clint Barton.

The feisty archer—Kate, not Clint—holds her own in a psychological skirmish with a Black Widow assassin, a blitzkrieg of jumpsuit-wearing thugs, and even (gasp!) in a straight-up slugfest with the Kingpin himself. Oh, and she got her criminal mother arrested on Christmas Eve. It sure seems like Ms. Bishop is well on her way to joining the newest crop of (young) Avengers.

Gamora: The Intergalactic Fighter

Gamora

When Gamora first graced the screen in Guardians of the Galaxy, one thing was perfectly clear: this girl was NOT to be messed with. As the most skilled protégé (not to mention favorite daughter) of Thanos, Gamora was equipped to outlast just about any adversary in physical and psychological combat.

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Just like the team of misfits that she went on to join, Gamora eventually showed a nobler side. She extended a hand of reconciliation to her erstwhile sister Nebula, while also providing the erratic Peter Quill with much-needed companionship. And, when the chips were down, she freely made the decision to sacrifice herself to protect the secret of the Soul Stone's location. Though Thanos eventually got his hands on the Stone, Gamora certainly went down fighting.

Yelena Belova: True Sisterhood Forever

Yelena Belova on a rooftop

In 1995, young Yelena thought that she was living a normal life in a beautiful Ohio household. But as it turned out, it was all a pretense. The truth was, she had absolutely no blood ties with the people who masqueraded as her father, mother, and sister. Amidst all this falsehood, though, there was one shred of authenticity that endured in Yelena's life: her connection with Natasha Romanoff.

Sure, they almost strangled each other to death when they met up again in 2016; but then again, don't all siblings engage in the occasional fight? When the events of Black Widow were all said and done, their sisterhood stood stronger than ever, fortified by a shared mission and punctuated by their special whistle.

Captain Marvel: Unbridled Strength

Carol Danvers in the cockpit of a plane
Image via Marvel Studios

Carol Danvers is the personification of power. Fuelled by the force of the Tesseract itself, Carol can travel great flights through the cosmos and wield tremendous amounts of energy against adversaries. Remember when Thanos tried to headbutt her in Binary mode? Weak move.

It's fascinating, then, that Carol came close to missing out on her full potential. In 2018's Captain Marvel, she uncovered the deceit—false memories, implant, and all—that the Kree had been using to hold her back. Having overcome the Supreme Intelligence's suppression, Carol embraced the responsibility of using her powers to help civilizations across galaxies. Now that's a strong message sent.

Monica Rambeau: A True Marvel

Monica Rambeau powering up

In many ways, Captain Rambeau had no control over her life's circumstances. As she was dusted by Thanos' Snap, she could do nothing as cancer overcame her mother Maria. Then, after hardly three weeks of grief, Monica was sucked into Wanda Maximoff's Hex, and the direction of her life changed yet again.

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Amidst these topsy-turvy events, Monica remained in perfect control of one particular choice: the decision to help Wanda. Risking her life (and reality), Monica fought through the barriers of the Hex just to rescue Wanda from, well, herself. Captain Rambeau, of course, has many other important decisions to make in the near future; by all indications, the future "Spectrum" will choose wisely.

Nebula: A Full Redemption Arc

Nebula flashing a smile

At first, Nebula was as despicable a character as can be. It was hard to find any redeeming value in this mercenary who allied herself with warlords (first with Thanos, then with Ronan). Though she reluctantly mended fences with her sister Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Nebula remained highly antagonistic in the events of that film.

Then again, perhaps that warm embrace from her sister did the trick. In Avengers: Infinity War, Nebula went head-to-head with her former father figure Thanos, in an attempt to stop his Infinity quest. In Avengers: Endgame, Nebula went on to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes as they mounted their time heist to save the dusted. How poetic, then, that Nebula defeats her evil variant right after she says the poignant line "We can change."

Hope Van Dyne: No Days Off

Hope Van Dyne in a classroom

To say that Hope was restless throughout 2015's Ant-Man would be an understatement. From beginning to end, Hope was itching for intense action and begging her father to let her join the fray. So when Hank Pym unveiled the prototype of the Wasp costume, everyone agreed with Hope's response, uttered with a fierce glint in her eye: "It's about damn time."

Three years later, headlining the first MCU film with a female hero in its title, Hope Van Dyne was glorious. As the Wasp, Hope showcased her intense martial arts training, tactical brilliance, and mastery of Pym Tech. And, moments after being Blipped, what does she do? Hope springs right back into action—the action that she has always craved for—to save the Earth.

Wanda Maximoff: The Multiverse In Her Hands

Wanda Maximoff in her classic Scarlet Witch costume
Image via Marvel Studios

There are two levels to this outstanding character arc. On the one hand, there's Wanda Maximoff, the Sokovian orphan immersed in war and destruction before she even entered adolescence. Later on, in a matter of three years, she lost her brother, her adoptive family, and her lover. Despite this troubled past, Wanda embraced her role as an Avenger, with sincere intentions to use her magic for good rather than evil.

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On the other hand, there's the Scarlet Witch—the mysterious entity with the power to disrupt the multiverse. Here's the scary part: no one is even sure about the limits of this Nexus being's full capacity. As such, the world waits with bated breath for the repercussions of Wanda's actions in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Natasha Romanoff: Mission Accomplished

Natasha Romanoff in the aftermath of battle

The narrative of Natasha Romanoff spans all four phases of the MCU thus far. In her decade-plus odyssey, Natasha's character has seen remarkable growth. Though objectified in a cringe-worthy Iron Man 2 scene, Natasha has gone on to be a loyal teammate, a faithful friend, and a willing leader. Ever since she severed ties with the Red Room, Agent Romanoff has worked tirelessly to right the world's wrongs.

Of course, her most important mission was to conquer her inner turmoil. In Avengers: Endgame, with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, Natasha took her leap of fate. In doing so, she wiped off the last vestiges of red in her ledger, while giving the Avengers a chance to bring back those who were dusted...including her beloved sister Yelena. Mission accomplished, Nat.

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