Captain Marvel and the 25 most empowering female superheroes of all-time

17. Mystique – X-men

Who plays her: Jennifer Lawrence, Rebecca Romjin, among others

Powers/Abilities: Shapeshifting, super agility, healing, agelessness

Why she’s so empowering: The first we’re introduced to Mystique in 2000’s X-Men, she’s on the side of evil. She works with Magneto but it’s clear there is more to this story. The prequel series with Jennifer Lawrence in the role certainly shows why she is so empowering. Delve into the comics and you get even more of a sense.

This is a mutant who hates that she’s different. She wants to be able to fit in, but can’t do that in her own skin. Fortunately, her shapeshifting abilities allow her to fit in with everyone else, but she dislikes the fact that she has to hide part of who she is from the world.

It’s this backstory that helps us understand why she makes the decision she does. One thing is for certain, she’s never wavered from the one thing she’s wanted the most: to fit in. That’s where the empowerment comes from.

While she’s made some bad decisions to be able to feel comfortable in her own skin, she’s also shown that there’s a respect gained for being unwavering in beliefs. We can all take something from this – just not the lessons in killing people.

There is also a sense of loyalty. She initially sides with Charles Xavier and doesn’t switch to Magneto’s side instantly. This is a woman who learns more about the world and the two different sides, making her own mind up in the process. She refuses to allow herself to be manipulated, showing a strength of character, even if she does make bad choices.