While growing up, Kendra Saunders' father was murdered by a corrupt police officer who had continually harassed their family. She later tried to help people from inside the system and became a police officer herself, but soon felt that she was being held back by the rules and regulations of the job.

When she was on yet another disciplinary suspension for breaking the rules, she encountered Hawkman. The hero told her that she was a reincarnated Egyptian princess and that the two had been both heroes and lovers in their previous lives. She thought him insane and asked to be left alone. Surprised she didn't remember him, he agreed to leave, but insisted she take the Nth mace and flight harness she had used in previous lives. She took the items just to be rid of him. However, as time passed and she came to the realization that a hero could do things a police officer never could. They could work beyond the rules and do more to help people. She decided to put the equipment Hawkman had left to good use and became the heroine, Hawkgirl.

In addition to her Nth metal mace and flight harness, Hawkgirl is a martial arts expert. She is a brutally effective warrior and shows little restraint in battle. She will take down her enemy and makes sure they stay down.