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Science fiction allows fans to escape into different realms of space adventure, time travel, and post-apocalyptic societies. From movies, to books, to comics, and television shows, science fiction stories have captured the hearts of countless fans throughout the years. Part of what makes these stories so memorable is the iconic women characters that exist in the world of science fiction. Women in science fiction have played remarkable roles and helped create some of the most memorable stories that come to life, from Natalie Portman having an audience fall in love with her performance to Carrie Fisher helping create the iconic Princess Leia image. These characters have inspired and lifted countless women. These characters represent women who do not live by the standards of others, who are courageous, leaders, and can kick some serious butt. Here is a list of some of the most timeless female characters in science fiction.
Princess Leia — Star Wars (Episodes IV-IX)
Played by Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia is one of the most recognizable faces in the sci-fi entertainment industry. Fans and non-fans alike cannot deny that the impact Princess Leia has on the world. From Halloween costumes to cameos in popular shows and movies, to a mega-empire of merchandise, Princess Leia’s side buns and solid white outfits can be recognized by all. Daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, Leia would be adopted by Queen Breha Organa and Senator Bail Organa, earning her the title of Princess. She would grow up to be a fearless leader of the Rebel Alliance, dedicated and passionate; her life mission was to bring down the tyranny of the Empire. Princess Leia’s whole life would be dedicated to bringing down evil, as she fought during the Imperial Era, the New Resistance, and the New Republic Era.
From the daring love interest of Han Solo to the mother of Ben Solo, who would become villain Kylo Ren, Princess Leia shows a character of a woman who loved deeply and fought bravely. Princess Leia would sacrifice her own happiness and needs for the greater good. Putting herself in danger on the front line of battles with stormtroopers, not letting her emotions get in the way of reason, and snapping at Luke and Han Solo to get their acts together, Leia would not be a woman to mess with. Star Wars would become one of the largest sci-fi franchises globally, and on the forefront is Princess Leia pushing the men to the side and creating her own destiny.
Padme — Star Wars (Episodes I-III)
The beautiful Padme Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, was first the elected Queen of Naboo and then the human senator who represented the planet of Naboo during the downfall of the Galactic Republic. Padme was the youngest elected Queen in Naboo’s history, and during her reign, she fought to free the people of Naboo from Trade Federation’s blockage and invasion of Naboo. After her reign, as a senator, she was one of the few women elected to have a position of power. Padme was at the forefront of the Loyalist Committee, advocating for peaceful solutions as the dark force festered in the Galactic. Loved by the people of Naboo, Padme fought for justice, and from a young age, dedicated her life to civic duty.
Although forbidden in the series, Padme’s love with Anakin Skywalker would have fans sitting on their seats rooting for the young couple. Tragically, during the Clone Wars, Anakin would become tempted by the dark side and become a Sith, leaving Padme to die of heartbreak. Before her death, Padme would birth the twins who would become Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. After her death, Padme’s children would become fundamental assets in the fragmentation of the Empire for the fight of good versus evil. Padme is an iconic mother in sci-fi, as her life sets a path for two essential characters in the Star Wars series.
Nyota Uhara — Star Trek
Another women in sci-fi who made history is Nyota Uhara played by Nichelle Nichols, breaking boundaries and becoming the first African-American woman to play a lead role on television. Her role as Uhara was legendary, breaking race barriers and notably partaking in the first interracial kiss on television. At the beginning of the television series, Nichelle Nichols was tempted to leave. Still, after a talk with Martin Luther King Jr., she decided to stay (( Martin, Michel. “Star Trek’s Uhara Reflects On MLK Encounter .” NPR, 17 Jan. 2011 )).
In the world of Star Trek, space adventure and travel is the everyday norm for humankind. Uhara’s character serves on the Starfleet ship USS Enterprise as a lieutenant working as a translator and communications specialist. She is a hard-working bridge officer and always ready at a second’s notice to protect the ship and its passengers from danger. Uhara’s character is loved by her crewmates, as she serenades them with her voice and even captures the attention of Spock. Uhara plays an important role throughout the series, as her brains get the crew out of trouble on more than one occasion and plays a huge role in the return of Spock.
Sarah Conner — Terminator
Sarah Conner is a character from the Terminator series played by different actors, including Linda Hamilton, Emilia Clarke, Maddy Curley, and Lena Headey. In this world, the battle for survival between the nearly-extinct human race and synthetic intelligence battle for power over control of Earth. All humans are deemed as a threat and must be eliminated as a human-created defense network becomes ‘self-aware.’ This network sends the cyborg, the Terminator, back in time to kill Sarah Conner, as her unborn son will one day save mankind.
Sarah Conner would transform from a timid victim into a hardened fugitive who will sacrifice everything for her son’s future. At the beginning of the Terminator series, Sarah Conner is a college student and waitress who becomes pursued by a relentless android assassin. After escaping with her life and finding love along the way, Sarah gives birth to her son John. For the rest of her life, she will endure struggle and survival as she fights to control the events in her life and reunite with her son. Sarah Conner’s character becomes loved by fans everywhere, as the Terminator series grows popular and fans fall in love with a mother willing to overcome her fears and risk anything for the safety of her son.
Katniss Everdeen — The Hunger Games
In this twisted world, the society Katniss is brought up in is separated by different districts leaving some to starve in poverty while others live extravagant, surface-level lives. As entertainment to the rich, two people from each district are randomly chosen to fight to the death in a survival game called The Hunger Games that leaves only one victor. After her beloved younger sister Primrose is chosen, Katniss will sacrifice herself and volunteer as tribute to take her sister’s place. Katniss Everdeen is familiar with the hardships of life from a young age. She becomes the primary caretaker of her younger sister after her father dies and her mother falls into a deep depression. Living in one of the poorest districts, food is hard to find, and Katniss struggles to create a safe environment for her sister.
After she enters the games, Katniss becomes an icon and a hope for the poor against the capitalistic, heartless Capitol. Instead of seeking gain for herself, Katniss befriends a young opponent from a different poor and exploited district named Rue. After Rue’s death, Katniss shockingly gives Rue a funeral covered in flowers and honors her dead body, which had never been seen before. This becomes the first breath to spark a resistance against the Capitol. The game ends abruptly when Katniss suggests to her other ally Peeta that they should commit a double suicide, forcing the Capitol to declare two winners and saving their lives in the process. Katniss’s brave actions inspire many and spark a revolution. Women like Katniss in this world have little voice, but Katniss speaks up for all of those who cannot be heard. As a woman leader, she becomes the poster for defiance and hope for many. Although Katniss is uninterested in politics, she becomes the voice for the oppressed.
Number Six — Battlestar Galactica
In the world of Battlestar Galactica, Number Six, played by Tricia Helfer, is one of twelve known Cylon clones in a world where human civilization lives in a group of planets called the Twelve Colonies. Previously, humankind had almost been wiped out by the Cylons in a dark power struggle. When Number Six is introduced to the series, she is an example of a new generation of Cylons who show they are capable of adapting human form and emotions. Her body was designed to replicate the human body to a molecular level making it almost impossible to recognize her as a Cylon. Furthermore, there are multiple clones of six in this universe.
Number Six, like her clones, is a humanoid Cylon, that throughout the series, plays different key roles with relationships with other characters and progressing the storyline. Throughout this iconic sci-fi television show, Number Six wins over the hearts of fans as she shows a human heart in the most unlikely of places.
Gamora — Guardians Of The Galaxy
Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana, is the daughter of the mighty villain Thanos. Thanos adopted her after he destroyed her home planet and murdered half of her race when she was a child. Thanos took a liking to Gamora, and he spared her life in order to turn her into a living weapon. Thanos raised Gamora and her adopted sister with an iron first, scaring them into submission and treating them as expendable. Gamora served her evil father for many years until she betrayed him in an attempt to free herself. During a mission to steal a valuable item known as the orb, Gamora came across the Guardians of the Galaxy team. After the intense Battle of Xandar, Gamora officially joined their team, and her life path switched from working under her father to protecting the galaxy from evil.
Gamora is a trained assassin and is a woman who doesn’t take crap from anyone in the galaxy. Her abuse and manipulation from her father would turn her into a rock-hard fighter with a drive to end her father’s suffering reign. Gamora plays an important role in the mission to stop Thanos from collecting all the infinity stones, and without her help, the Guardians of the Galaxy team would’ve met a deadly end. Gamora, after living an abusive life of loss, learns to love again with the help of the Guardians of the Galaxy team. One of her most important friendships is with Peter Quill, who is romantically interested in her. Furthermore, she treats Groot with the care of a mother and rebuilds a bond with her sister Nebula. Gamora’s character arc from villain to hero makes her one of the most important women in sci-fi.
Women On The Forefront Of Science Fiction
Without women in sci-fi, let’s be frank, the genre wouldn’t be what it is today. Female actors have helped bring characters and stories to life, breaking barriers and providing an escape for countless fans. Sci-fi takes on many different faces, from post-apocalyptic worlds to space adventures and exploration, to creepy tales about aliens and monsters. Families and friends everywhere gather in front of screens, inspired by the stories that they see. Women have helped this magic happen, from Princess Leia showing the world a woman can lead a resistance to Katniss Everdeen, showing strength and courage. What better way to end Women’s history month than to kick off your shoes, grab that movie or book, and fall in love all over again with your favorite sci-fi stories.