The Force is strong with her

A sentiment exists that men dominate the galaxy far, far away but that is not the case — at least not anymore. Women leaders have not only been given more screen time but have also played some of the most important roles in the Rebellion, on the light side, dark side, and the grey area in between.

Let’s look at some of the most important female characters.

The original crew

We know them and we love them. No explanation needed, really.

Princess Leia

She’s no stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder.

Mon Mothma

Everyone gave up a lot for the rebellion, but Mon may have given up the most. She had it all but, in the end, chose her beliefs and morals over a life of luxury.

Beru Whitesun Lars

Aunt Beru was Uncle Owen’s voice of reason in the original trilogy. It wasn’t until the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that we saw her really flex her muscle.

The light side

Rey

Paplatine turned Skywalker, she became the face of the Episodes VII-IX.

Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka played pivotal roles during the Clone Wars.

Shaak Ti

Shaak Ti helped lead the development of the clones and sat on the Jedi High Council.

Aayla Secura

Secura was discovered by Quinlan Vos and became a strong Jedi Master and General through the Clone Wars. She was killed by her own clone troops when Order 66 was executed.

Cere Junda

Junda was a Force-sensitive former Jedi who who survived Order 66 and went into hiding. In the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game, she helped mentor Cal Kestis and bravely fought Darth Vader, losing her life to him.

The Dark Side

Mother Talzin

Force-sensitive mother of the Nightsisters, formidable force, and behind the emergence of Darth Maul, Asajj Ventress.

Shin Hati

Mysterious apprentice of Baylon Skoll. Expect to see a lot more of her if/when there is a second season of the Ahsoka series.

Barriss Offee

Offee was a Jedi apprentice who turned against the Order, due to disillusionment with its hypocrisy. She bombed the Jedi Temple, turned to the dark side, and became an Inquisitor. She ultimately left the Inquisitors and became a healer.

Asajj Ventress

Ventress, was enslaved as a child but save by Jedi Ky Narec. She became his apprentice before turning to the dark side under Count Dooku. She could stand her own against the best, even when left for dead by Dooku. She fell in love with Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, but was tragically killed saving his life.

Trilla Suduri

Trilla Suduri, or Second Sister, was a Jedi Padawan turned Inquisitor. Her story arc shows the emotional toll of war, betrayal, and loss.

Badasses

Padmé Amidala

Amidala was a strong and steady ruler who fought corruption in the senate and on the street. She was either married to or the mother of three of the most famous Jedi we know (well, before Anakin turned).

Kleya Marki

Kleya quickly became one of the strongest and most important people in the beginning of the Rebel Alliance. While Luthen Rael was starting to fall apart, she kept everything together.

Jyn Erso

After the death of her mother and abduction of her father by Orson Krennic, she fought alongside Saw Gerrera before being abandoned by him as a teen. Her father died in her hands and the Alliance didn’t trust her. Still, she gave her life for the cause.

Hera Syndulla

Syndulla lead Ghost crew as one of the best pilots in the rebellion. She was a tactical genius and nurturing leader who stood strong in the face of tragedy.

Satine Kryze

Bo-Katan’s sister, ruler of Mandalore. She was dedicated to peace and had a loving (maybe forbidden) connection with Ob-Wan Kenobi. She was killed by Maul and died in Kenobi’s arms, but she never waivered from her beliefs.

Sometimes light, sometimes dark, sometimes grey

Bo-Katan Kryze

Bok-Katan seems to have her hands in everything, trying to make a difference. Though Kryze was once part of the radical Death Watch group, she eventually went on to unify Mandalore.

Sabine Wren

She wasn’t much of a Jedi, but she did possess the Darksaber at one point. She was a Mandalorian whose cockiness led to the death of many. She has her own internal struggles but I think we’ll see her mature more in season two of Ahsoka.

Kreia

Kreia is a former Jedi Master and Sith Lord from the Knights of the Old Republic games. She was a wise woman and former a Jedi historian who challenged the absolutes of light and dark.

Mara Jade

Jade was the Emporer’s Hand who eventually became a Jedi Master. She played FMK with Luke Skywalker. After failing to kill him, she knocked off the other letters. They have a son, Ben, though this is not in canon.

Fennec Shand

Shand is an elite assassin who was hired to hunt down Omega in The Bad Batch but ended up protecting her from Cad Bane. She eventually became a target herself and was left for dead in Tatooine. Boba Fett saved her life and she became loyal to him.

New Hopes

Outside of a few newborns, there are not a lot of prevalent young women ready to represent the next generation of leaders, Force-sensitive or not. It would be great to see these characters take the next step and perhaps even

Omega

Omega is a genetic female clone of Jango Fett who spent her life on Kamino before meeting her brothers, The Bad Batch. She’s fearless, brilliant, loving, and a flat-out adorable kid. When the series ends, we see her as a late teen/adult who his heading off to join the cause. I would be surprised if we do not see her take a live-action leadership role soon.

Fern

Fern is a newer entry in Star Wars canon. We meet her in Skeleton Crew where she becomes the leader of a pirate ship and shows no fear in the face of danger. She represents a new generation and a new voice with a ton of room to expand within the galaxy.

Jecki Lon

Whether you loved or hated The Acolyte, Jecki quickly became a fan favorite. Not sure why they killed her off, as she could have grown into a big role. However, nobody ever really stays dead in Star Wars. So, maybe we will see her brought back in the future, maybe in a pre-Acolyte role.

LGBTQIA+

Beyond female roles, the LGBTQIA+ community is expanding in canon

Vel Sartha

Sartha, Mon Mothma’s sister and a rebel leader who sacrifices comfort and love in the for the rebellion. She embodies strength through discipline, but her love for Cinta leads to great personal tragedy.

Cinta Kaz

Kaz is a fierce rebel fighter who has made war her entire identity. She and the lover of her life, Vel, are separated by Luthen Rael. They end up together again but her life is immediately cut short by an errant bullet.

Delian Mors

Mors is a lesbian Imperial Moff introduced in the Star Wars: Lords of the Sith novel. Her inclusion shattered barriers as the first openly queer character in official Star Wars media.

Merrin

Merrin is a Nightsister from Star Wars Jedi games, who embraces both vengeance and healing as she joins the crew of the Mantis. She identifies as pansexual and takes interest in the games’ protaganist, Cal Cestis.

Sola Naberrie

Sola is Padmé’ Amidala’s sister and said to be aromantic and asexual. She is strong-willed and has two children, though not with a partner.