On March 8, the world observes International Women’s Day (IWD)—a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also advocating for gender equality. IWD is a time for reflection, recognition, and commitment to progress, ensuring that equality remains at the forefront of global conversations.
But, how does that apply to Wookieepedia? Historically, the site hasn’t done terribly well in the above regards. As a site, however, we can strive to make things better than we found them…
The History Of It
While Wookieepedia has long been a leading resource for Star Wars lore, its editor demographics have historically skewed male (echoing the wider Star Wars fanbase). The presence of female editors has been limited, and in some cases, their experiences on the platform have been discouraging rather than welcoming. As it’s important to welcome every editor we find, this is something that’s been worked on.
As acknowledged in our public apology, Wookieepedia has had a past that includes harmful behaviors, exclusionary attitudes, and a lack of proper support for marginalized voices. These factors have contributed to a space that has not always been inviting for women who wish to contribute to Star Wars knowledge. We cannot change the past, but we can and must shape a better future.
Why This Matters
"Star Wars felt a little alien to me, because I didn't feel served as a woman. Whereas now, there are some epic female roles with characters coming out who are not the usual tropes of the girl who needs to be saved."
~ Indira Varma, Tala Durith's actress in Obi-Wan Kenobi
Representation isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. When female editors are underrepresented, so too are their perspectives and insights. A more welcoming Wookieepedia is one more will feel inspired to join and contribute, bettering the site overall.
Star Wars itself has long emphasized strong female characters—from Princess Leia to Ahsoka Tano, from Jyn Erso to Rey. As George Lucas once said, he always intended Star Wars to include heroic women who could lead, inspire, and make a difference (watch his comments here). If the Star Wars galaxy embraces female heroes, then the community documenting its stories should do the same.
Moving Forward: What We Can Do
To truly embody the values of IWD, we can look to the follow future initiatives:
Welcoming Environment: Ensure that new editors—especially women—are welcomed, encouraged, and supported. This means actively calling out gatekeeping, harassment, or dismissive behavior.
Mentorship & Support: Establish mentorship opportunities where experienced editors help newcomers navigate policies, editing standards, and community culture.
Recognition & Leadership: Encourage and uplift female editors into leadership roles, ensuring their voices help shape community guidelines and decision-making.
Active Outreach: Engage in discussions within the broader Star Wars fandom to invite more women to participate in Wookieepedia and reassure them that their contributions matter.
The Bigger Picture
A powerful moment from the Barbie movie released in recent times encapsulates the struggles many women face:
“It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong. [...] It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.”
Women in online spaces—especially in male-dominated communities—often face extra scrutiny, higher expectations, and harsher criticism. Recognizing this reality means actively working to change the culture so that female editors don’t feel they must go above and beyond to be accepted. They should be able to contribute without fear of dismissal or hostility: to edit, same as everyone else.
Our Commitment & Personal Anecdotes
Wookieepedia’s leadership is committed to making our community welcoming to every editor; Star Wars is for everyone, after all. International Women’s Day is a reminder that this effort cannot be limited to one day a year—it must be an ongoing priority.
The above topic is one that’s not… brought up perhaps as often as it should. Uncomfortable? Probably. Controversial? Certainly, in today’s world. And especially on Wookieepedia, as we struggle to find the balance between uplifting marginalized voices while still ensuring everyone has their voice heard... and not forcing change faster than the community wishes for it to occur.
But on a personal note, I remember starting my editing journey on Wookieepedia. Terrible experience honestly; it’s pure luck I’d returned to the site after being initially driven off at all. Sometimes… it feels like shouting into a void, where people may or may not hear you on the other end.
It’s a bittersweet feeling to love something so much, but know that there’ll be yet another battle the next day. To know that it’d be easier to have someone else champion the same point because they’ll be more listened to than you, of no fault of your own. To be floored you were even considered for an elected position to begin with, because culture’s beaten you down to not believe your worth.
Is it better? Than it was before 2021, for sure. Will it continue to get better? To me, there’s no other choice but to believe that things will improve, and that it’s everyone’s duty to pitch in where they can. I have great hopes for Wookieepedia, and a future where its community is every bit as welcoming as it should be.
Inspired by:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3RauEVgRgj1IuWdJ9fDs70
