Power is a theme ever-present in the Star Wars saga. Those with it can do a lot to make a difference, whether it’s for the good of the universe or hindrance of it. Some of the women we’ve come to meet throughout the galaxy far, far away exemplify the wisdom to lead, the cunning to rise above their ranks and the heart to do the right thing. Here are just 8 women from Star Wars that embody power.
Hera Syndulla
One only needs to look at Hera’s family to know that she was destined to be a hero. The daughter of revolutionary Cham Syndulla, Hera was one of the earliest members of the Rebellion. An expert pilot, she lead her motley crew on missions to bring the Empire down and bring peace to the galaxy. Her insurgency on Lothal brought attention to many around the galaxy, inspiring others to join the fight.
Not all of her strength lay in her piloting skills, however. She became a surrogate mother to two members of her crew, nurturing their individuality while knowing when to reign them in. Her crew became her family. While we don’t know what happened to her after joining the New Republic, we know she’s out there fighting for the good of the galaxy.
Captain Phasma
A true survivor, Phasma joined The First Order after saving one of the leaders, General Brendol Hux, securing passage off her planet and betraying her family and clan. She entered into the Stormtrooper program and rose through the ranks, eventually tasked with leading the program herself. It was during this time that she conspired with Hux’s son to assassinate the General, securing his and her place in leadership roles within The Force Order.
After the destruction of Starkiller Base, which was in part her fault, she went to great lengths to lay blame on another Lieutenant. Phasma destroyed or killed anyone and any droid who knew she was responsible for bringing down the shields that helped the Resistance win. A skilled warrior, she went down fighting when her former student FN-2187 (otherwise known as Finn) attempted to escape during the battle on the Supremacy.
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Duchess Satine Kryze
How do you bring a pacifist approach to a warrior planet? That’s the question Satine Kryze tried to answer as a Duchess on Mandalore. She aligned herself with the New Mandalore mentallity, opting to create a distance between the planet’s past of violence and war. Unfortunately, not all of the citizens agreed with that mentality and there were many assassination attempts made on her life.
Civil war broke out on the planet and she was ushered away to avoid any further assassination attempts. She returned to Mandalore after the New Mandalorians won control and was more determined than ever to bring peace to her planet. Unfortunately during The Clone Wars, she was overthrown by a rebelling militia group and was killed by the militia’s new ally, Darth Maul. Although she had the incredible task set out before her, she made a difference on her planet and especially impacted the life of another powerful woman, her sister, Bo-Katan.
Governor Arihnda Pryce
A Governor in the Galactic Empire, Arihnda Pryce made her presence known with her quick rise to power. She began her career as a manager of the Pryce Mining facility. She later became an aide to Lothal’s Senator Domus Renking and member of the Higher Skies Advocacy Group. She secured her Governship by selling information about the Advocacy Group to Grand Moff Tarkin. If one were to look up cunning in the dictionary, Governor Pryce’s picture would be there.
From there, she took out her political rivals, including her former employer Renking. She was also instrumental in securing Lothal as an Imperial Military Base, though she was more interested in the larger Empire activities. Her team up with Grand Admiral Thrawn made her one of the deadliest women in the galaxy while she was in his favor. Loyal to the Empire to the very end, Pryce is a poster example of the thirst of power.
Enfys Nest
A fierce warrior, Enfys Nest was the leader of a swoop bike gang called The Cloud-Riders. While we spent most of our time with her believing her to be the antagonist, she turned out to be so much more. In fact, she turned out to be a galactic Robin Hood, fighting against the Empire and criminal syndicates, defending the downtrodden.
The teenager seemed to be a natural born leader, taking command at a young age. She’s also a resistance fighter through and through, making sacrifices in order to bring peace to the galaxy. You don’t need any further proof as who she is a person than the inscription on her helmet. Translated it means “Until we reach the last edge, the last opening, the last star, and can go no higher.”
Padme Amidala
Padme Amidala made her mark on the galaxy very early as the child queen of Naboo. With her quick thinking, brave actions and determination to bring peace, she saved her planet from war. Her subjects loved her so much they wanted to amend the laws in order to let her continue her reign. She was courageous and hopeful, which is what she brought to her next role as a senator.
It was as a senator that she continued her mission to keep peace within the galaxy. However, when the Republic she served started to turn against her, she became one of the architects of the Rebellion, along with Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. Unfortunately she would not live long enough to see it come to fruition. Her heart was not only with her people, but with the love of her life. She ended up giving everything.
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Rae Sloane
After the Empire wiped out the gang that dominated her planet, Rae Sloane joined the Imperial Navy, believing them to be the greatest force in the galaxy. She steadily rose in the ranks, having stopped two assassination attempts on high Imperial members, including Darth Vader and Palpatine. It was then she learned and tracked a surviving Jedi, Kanan Jarrus. For over seven years she tracked him and even captured him at one point.
She became the Captain of her own Star Destroyer after serving on Grand Moff Tarkin’s ship for several years. Sloane eventually rose to the position of Vice Admiral and after the destruction of the second Death Star, she became the highest ranking Imperial left, issuing a retreat. While she became the literal poster figure for the dying Empire, it’s believed that she was instrumental in forming the dangerous First Order. We don’t know what happened to her after that point, but given that she rose so high in the Empire and was one of the architects and leaders of The First Order, Rae Sloane is not a woman to be messed with.
General Leia Organa
The Princess turned General. At a young age, she quickly became one of the key figures in the Rebellion, leading missions to overrun the Empire. Becoming one of the galaxy’s greatest heroes, she helped restore peace and helped keep it by helping form the New Republic. It wasn’t easy and she quickly realized the senate floor was completely different than the battlefield.
She formed a battalion in case the threat of the Empire returned, calling her fleet The Resistance. With her skills, she was able to fight back against the rising threat of The First Order. Even though the New Republic was wiped out, she continued to fight for the safety of the galaxy. Out gunned and out manned, she stood her ground to the very end. We’re not sure how her story ends yet, but she’ll be likely do everything she can to bring peace to the galaxy for a second time.
Who is your favorite powerful woman of Star Wars?
This article was originally published on International Women’s Day, 3/8/20
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