Hello fellow Wookieepedians!
This year's Women's History Month is upon us and it's a great time to reflect on the importance and impact women have had on Star Wars. In this post, we'll shed light on a few of the talented individuals who have contributed to the galaxy far, far away.
Highlights from Star Wars media in recent years
For 2024, Marvel is releasing a line of variant covers for Women's History Month!
New 'Star Wars' Women's History Month Covers Celebrate Icons of a Galaxy Far, Far Awaywww.marvel.comIn 2018, the reference book Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy was released! The work features a large group of illustrations from female and non-binary artists and was written by Amy Ratcliffe.
The Star Wars: Forces of Destiny micro-series is an animated series with two seasons. It was released in 2017 and 2018, primarily featuring several female characters from the films and animated series--including Leia Organa, Rey, Jyn Erso, Padmé Amidala, Sabine Wren, Rose Tico, Hera Syndulla, and more!
Star Wars actors
Below are highlights on three prominent women who have held an acting role in Star Wars media!
Carrie Fisher was an inspirational figure in Star Wars, having portrayed Princess Leia Organa in the original trilogy films. For many, she was a role model of a strong female leader serving in the Rebellion, showing a level of fierceness and tenacity during the Galactic Civil War. She passed away in 2016.
Natalie Portman is an actress who portrayed Padmé Amidala in the prequel trilogy films. Having been sixteen when The Phantom Menace released, she has since gone on to feature in numerous film roles in other franchises. Her character is certainly someone to look up to--a warrior queen, a staunch defender of democracy, and had she lived, would have been a loving mother.
Daisy Ridley is an actress who portrayed Rey in the sequel trilogy. Often considered a breakout role for her career, she's inspired many young women and girls as they were introduced to new Star Wars content in recent years!
Further Star Wars highlights
Claudia Gray has been working on Star Wars novels for nearly the last decade. Some of her works include Lost Stars and Leia, Princess of Alderaan, alongside serving as one of the lead story architects on Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia project.
Angela Morley was a British composer and conductor who worked on two films in the original trilogy as an additional composer alongside John Williams. In 1974, she became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Academy Award. In her time outside of the Star Wars franchise, she had a successful film career.
Faye Marsay is an actress who portrays Vel Sartha in the television series Andor. Alongside a team of rebel insurgents, Sartha works as part of Luthen Rael's network to take down the Galactic Empire. Can't wait to watch season two once it comes out!
Conclusion
There's definitely many more women who've contributed Star Wars than can be covered in such a short post. I invite others to talk about their favorite women in Star Wars below, both for real-world individuals who've worked on the franchise and their favorite female characters!
Other resources
