It’s National Women’s History Month, ya’ll!

As my two little girls get older, I am beginning to appreciate more and more the importance of having positive, strong female leading characters in the stories they are exposed to and immerse themselves in.

My 4 year old has recently decided that she likes Star Wars (PARENTING WIN!), and her favorite character is Darth Vader. (Uhhhh…..????)

Idolizing a villain aside, I am absolutely THRILLED with the new movies Disney is cranking out in the Star Wars universe, and I am doubly thrilled that the Star Wars universe’s gender diversification has greatly expanded. The recent television shows, comics, books, and films have been introducing a galaxy of new well-rounded, powerful, dynamic and thoughtful female characters for new fans to love.

When I started compiling this list of kick ass Star Wars women in honor of Women’s History Month, I started throwing in book favorites (Mara Jade and Jaina Solo, anyone?) but then I decided to scale the list back to ONLY the live action films. Not because the books, comics and television programs don’t have great female characters, but if I decided to branch out this blog post would go on FAR too long, haha.

Let me know if there are any great leading ladies in the Star Wars verse I’ve forgotten! And happy Womens Month!

Princess Leia Organa

If you think of women in the Star Wars universe, Princess Leia is pretty much universally the top pick… and for good reason! Not only is she the only woman in the primary cast of the original films, she returned as the leader of the Resistance in The Force Awakens. She is one badass cookie.

Leia Organa is a princess, politician, political leader, wife, and mother all rolled into one. She can even use the Force, though she refused Jedi training from her brother. Her strength is mind-blowing. This woman lost her entire adoptive family and her planet all in one day. But she still had the wherewithal and the energy to carry on. She withstood torture by the most fearsome villain in the galaxy, her own biological father. She rescued herself, Luke, and Han from the Death Star when Luke’s initial plan failed. And the princess never stops moving. Every waking moment of her life is spent thinking and planning for others: the rebellion, the New Republic, and later, her son. She is the powerhouse heroine we’ve been looking for.

Rey

The Force is strong with this one. Like, super strong. In The Force Awakens, Rey defeated Kylo Ren with no formal light saber training, and her connection to the Force is one of the most powerful in the Star Wars universe (similar to tiny tot Anakin in Phantom Menace, only WAY COOLER!)

Though we don’t yet know much about Rey’s past, it’s clear she’s a survivor. She can take care of herself, even when faced with an ex-Jedi trained in mind control trying to torture her. Whether she’s got a lightsaber or a really cool staff, she’s able to fight her way out of messes—and despite her fears of her Force sensitivity, she’s able to call on those abilities when it counts.

Mon Mothma

Mon Mothma, the leader of the Rebel Alliance and, later, the chancellor of the New Republic is the obvious choice for the first head of the new democratic government post-Empire. She is kind, wise, soft-spoken, but determined. She does what needs to be done and doesn’t shy away from a challenge – her bravery is boundless. We adore Mon for her strength and optimism. It takes a great deal of both to foment and organize a rebellion.

Rose Tico

We have no doubt that Rose’s character will only expand and grow in the coming years as Disney cranks out more quality Star Wars flicks. But for now, our experience with her is limited. What we can say is this: Rose’s spirit is so contagious in The Last Jedi, and her chemistry with Finn so adorable, that we want way more from this rebellious little spitfire. Her character already exhibits quirky charm, kindness, integrity and many more qualities I want my kiddos to look up to!

Jyn Erso

So much of Jyn’s rich journey is relayed to us in exposition – notably, her history as an extremist militant – and some of her character motivation feels lost in the reshoot chaos that surrounded Rogue One. But Jyn is the central figure in a war story that’s so different from what came before and after. She’s brave, and ultimately gives her life to fuel the Rebellion. It’s hard post-Rogue One not to feel Jyn’s sacrifice in the margins of A New Hope, a reminder that our beloved heroes get to live on and have adventures because of what she gave them.

Padme Amidala

The prequels get their fair-share of hate (much of it coming from the Freeman household, I must admit!), but I do feel that laying the blame on Padme is ill-guided. Padme’s political prowess and stellar leadership is a precursor to her daughter’s fire. I was a BIG fan of what Padme was supposed to be, and I am super sad that we lost so much of the character though bad script writing and wonky direction, her essence – as a noble ruler, a patient lover, and a fearless protector of liberty – leaves a lasting mark on the Star Wars saga that we can’t ignore, and that affords her such a high spot on this list.

Beru Lars

Beru Lars appears in several Star Wars films, despite her untimely end in A New Hope. Her younger self appeared in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. She is best known as Luke Skywalker’s loving aunt who along with her husband Owen, raises the boy on Tatooine. Unlike Owen, she understands Luke’s adventure-seeking spirit. She encourages Owen to allow Luke to join the Imperial Flight Academy.

Luke’s reckless spirit requires equal parts discipline and love to temper. Owen is Luke’s disciplinarian while Beru is his comforter. The kindness and belief in the goodness of others Luke shows in later films were not just inherited from his biological mother, they were instilled in him by his caring aunt. Sometimes, a strong female character is not a great doer or leader. Sometimes, she is simply a good, kind woman who makes life brighter for her family.

Maz Kanata

Maz Kanata is a Force-sensitive humanoid female who was born over a millennium before the brewing war between the First Order and the Resistance. Living in an ancient castle on the planet Takodana, Kanata gained a reputation as a “pirate queen” by allowing traveling smugglers to reside in her home. Maz steals every scene she’s in during The Force Awakens. With her crazy goggles and her knowledge of the Force – is definitely a strong female character!

Oola

While Oola the dancer in Jabba’s palace might be a surprise on this list, she’s one of those characters who has gathered a life outside the films with cosplay and parody comics and so on. In her short Star Wars appearance – sexy dancing for and then dying at the hands of a giant space gangster – she has gathered a fan following of sorts, myself included. If anything, when faced with unwanted sexual advances, her no meant NO, even to her death. That’s admirable yes?!

Captain Phasma

While I feel like this character didn’t have as much OOMPH as she could have, (her scenes in The Force Awakens are few, and her character feels like it could have been fleshed out much more), Phasma was clearly designed to be the definition of a badass villainous female character. She is not only the commander of her own elite Stormtrooper unit, but also a member of the triumvirate that leads the First Order in its evil doings, which also includes General Hux and Kylo Ren. Most notable is her appearance. Her chrome armor is made out of a material called chromium salvaged from a Naboo yacht that once belonged to Emperor Palpatine. Many have called this imposing Stormtrooper a successor in popularity to the mysterious bounty hunter Boba Fett, but I think that might be a bit of a stretch. But overall, a female villain in the Star Wars verse is a good expansion, I think!

Are there any female Star Wars characters I missed? Is your favorite on this list? Share below!