Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for young girls to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following is full of spoilers for the Disney Plus hit show The Mandalorian. If you are not caught up with the show, then you can stop here and get that Disney Plus subscription, but if you have already experienced the 8-episode tale of The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda, then read on.
The Armorer
Fast Facts:
The Armorer (Emily Swallow) is the leader of the Tribe, a group of Mandalorians located on Nevarro. We are introduced to her in “Chapter 1” when The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) brings her an ingot of beskar that she uses to forge him a new pauldron.
In “Chapter 3”, The Mandalorian visits her again, this time with a camtono of beskar, which she uses to forge him a cuirass. She warns the Mandalorian that his new armor will draw many eyes, and even so, the other Mandalorians challenge him because of where the beskar comes from. The Armorer is quick to remind them that through secrecy, they will survive, and that survival is their strength. While the others call the Mandalorian a coward for working with agents of the Empire, the Armorer reminds them all that the Way of Mandalore is not one for cowards because they are “the hunted and the prey.”
In the Season 1 finale, when the Mandalorian comes back to Nevarro, he finds the helmets and armor of the Tribe in the enclave but is surprised to see the Armorer remains. She forges the Mandalorian his signet, naming him and the Child a “Tribe of Two” and tells him that he must return the Child to its people. Before he leaves, he asks her to come with him, but she refuses as her place is in the enclave. When the Stormtroopers finally arrive, they find her sitting before her forge, armed only with her hammer and tongs. They attack her, but her skill with her tools make her a formidable fighter and she handles them quickly.
The Real Deal:
While the Armorer only appears for a few minutes in three episodes, she is a commanding presence. She is calm, collected, and is a strong leader of her people. Not once does she raise her voice, but what she says is final and it is hard for anyone to argue her wisdom. She is also the lorekeeper of the Tribe, and constantly reminds the Mandalorians of who they are and what their place is in the New Republic. She cares about her people and holds true to the ways of Mandolore, but while she is a warrior, she is also a mother-figure. In each interaction with the Mandalorian, she mentions the Foundlings, the orphans that the Mandalorians take into the Tribe as one of them. “The Foundlings are the future,” she tells them.
Why She Matters:
The Star Wars universe is packed with powerful women figures: General Leia Organa, Rey, Cara Dune, Padme, Rose Tico, Vice Admiral Holdo, Jyn Erso, Mon Mothma, and the list goes on and on. The Armorer is the first woman we see leading a tribe of Mandalorians. But what makes her so impressive is not her ability to fight, it’s her loyalty to her people and adherence to their creed. She understands their history and their place in the world. She shows us that power doesn’t just come from being an exceptional fighter, but from carrying on the culture and teachings of your Tribe.
So, be like The Armorer. Know your personal history. Know where you came from and hold true to your people. Command the room with a measured tone, an honorable spirit, and a calm demeanor. A powerful person isn’t the one with the most brawn or the most wealth, it’s the one with the most wisdom.
This is the Way.
RELATED: Our Favorite Baby Yoda Fan Videos That Gave Us All the Emotions
Originally posted January 8, 2020.
- Gift Guide: Video Game-Inspired Cookbooks - February 27, 2024
- Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: JIM JIMENEZ - June 23, 2022
- Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: BECKETT MARINER - September 15, 2021
