For the past few decades, a vast global audience has been rediscovering ancient fairy tales

through the lens of the animated films pioneered by Disney.

They've simplified and popularized some of the bigger stories, such as Cinderella and

Aladdin, and brought needed attention to lesser known tales like the Snow Queen and the Little

Mermaid.

But growing up and watching the classics, what struck me the most wasn't the animation

or the music, but the common appearance of that one key figure in so many tales, the

evil woman of power.

We can see versions of her in sleeping beauty and snow white, and she's fresh and modern

as the wealthy socialite, Cruella de Ville.

It's a common thread in folklore, in some form or another.

Sometimes she's a cruel stepmother, while other times she's the witch in the faraway

castle.

Everywhere we look, the image of the woman who rules through violence and fear is right

there waiting for us.

There are a few reasons why women, not men, have been featured as the most frightening

fairy tale villains throughout the ages.

Some experts say that it's because mothers have tended to be the most powerful authority

figure in the lives of children throughout history.

Making their fictional counterparts evil was an easy way to make the danger seem the

most understandable to young minds.

Others point to a patriarchal system, built to teach everyone that power should only

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