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 shows Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. If you are not caught up with these shows, then you can stop here and get on to binging these excellent installments of the Star Wars universe.
Ahsoka Tano
Fast Facts:
Ahsoka Tano entered the Star Wars universe as the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. Discovered by Jedi Master Plo Koon, she trained in the Jedi arts at a young age. At the very start of Clone Wars, she joined Anakin Skywalker and Master Obi-Wan Kenobi at the Battle of Christophsis. It was clear from the start that she was a worthy Padawan, with a reckless side to her that matched her Jedi master. Together Anakin and Ahsoka saved countless lives and fought against the Separatists’ armies as General and Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
A year or two after the start of the Clone Wars, Ahsoka was unfairly accused of bombing a Jedi hangar. With only Anakin to speak on her behalf, she had no choice but to form an alliance with the former Sith apprentice, Asajj Ventress, to clear her name. Unfortunately, she ended up being barred from the Jedi Order. Anakin eventually caught the true culprit, but the damage had already been done, and Ahsoka left the Jedi Order.
RELATED: STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Series Finale: (S07E12) Victory and Death
During the time that Anakin became Darth Vader, Ahsoka was escorting the former Sith Lord, Maul, to Coruscant. When Order 66 was issued, she saved her good friend and mentor Captain Rex by removing his inhibitor chip, which freed him from Emperor Palpatine’s control. She then disappeared, leaving Darth Vader and the new Galactic Empire to believe she was dead.
In time, she established herself as “Fulcrum,” the leader of Bail Organa’s intelligence network. As “Fulcrum,” she helped form Rebel cells across the galaxy. Eventually she would meet Hera Syndulla and her Rebel cell which included the former Jedi Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger. This ultimately led her to a confrontation with Darth Vader, who she found out was her former Master, Anakin Skywalker, at the Sith Temple on Malachor. She refused to leave her old Master, despite the Sith Temple’s inevitable collapse, and it was believed she died when the temple fell.
In truth, she was rescued by Ezra Bridger in the future, who, using a time portal in the World Between Worlds, saved her in the past. After the Battle of Lothal, Ahsoka and Sabine Wren joined together to find Ezra who went missing after the battle.
The Real Deal:
Ahsoka Tano is one of the most powerful Jedis in the current canon. While her appearance was a surprise to many Star Wars fans, she quickly won over the fandom with her no-nonsense approach, and her ability to keep up with Anakin and Obi-Wan in wit, wisdom, and fighting skills. She is tough, fierce, and fights for what she thinks is right. She has a kind heart, going out of her way to help those in need, especially those her calls her friends. This is shown when she saves Captain Rex during Order 66, and when she refuses to leave Anakin’s side when she discovers that he is Darth Vader. “I won’t leave you, not this time,” she tells him as the Sith Temple starts to collapse around them.
Ahsoka is a decision-maker and can discern what needs to be done in order to complete the mission. Even though she was young during the Clone Wars, she was wise beyond her years, imparting wisdom to leaders and rulers. “You don’t have to carry a sword to be powerful. Some leaders’ strength is inspiring greatness in others,” she tells Lee-Char, the leader of the Mon Calamari people.
Why She Matters:
Ahsoka has faced many challenges in her life. From being a Padawan to Anakin Skywalker, to leading armies, to facing betrayal and abandonment by those she considered her friends and mentors. Even through her self-doubt, and her disillusionment of the Jedi Order, she stayed true to herself. She lived by her own code of what she thought was right and wrong and tried to do what she could to help people in need. Ahsoka is the embodiment of everything good about the Jedi Order: protecting the innocent, preserving the peace, seeking knowledge, finding harmony, and honing some incredible fighting skills.
So be like Ahsoka Tano. Learn from your past, learn from your mistakes, and be prepared to walk away and create your own path. Be loyal, be honest, be empathetic, be unfailing. In the end you will discover who you truly are.
- 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
