Princess Leia and Mon Mothma were not the only women to lead the charge for freedom and democracy. There were others that made a huge impact, overcoming long odds and adversity to become strong leaders in their chosen causes in the years the Galactic Empire was in control. These blurbs may include minor spoilers, and more on the characters may be under different eras. I shall avoid spoiling their fate, however. If you want to know more you’ll find the starting points listed. I can’t separate out the good gals from the bad ones though, because sometimes they change sides!
Mon Mothma
This senator had long been quietly against Palpatine’s changes to the Senate, even before he declared himself Emperor. She was openly involved in Rebellion before the Alliance was formed, and forced to go on the run. Eventually, she and allies quietly formed the Rebellion. Things took a turn for the worse on destruction of Alderaan, as without Bail Organa there was no tie breaker between her and Garm Bel Iblis on how to lead the Rebellion. He left with his people quietly, leaving her in charge.
Laranth Tarak
Before there was even a formal Rebel Alliance, there were Resistance cells. Laranth Tarak, a twilek, was a Gray Paladin, an offshoot branch of the Jedi looked on less than favorably with the Jedi Council. Surviving Order 66, Laranth helps the Whiplash resistance cell on Coruscant, aiding refugees flee the new regime. In addition she teams up with Jax Pavan, a fellow Jedi and survivor to investigate murder and mayhem while staying ahead of Darth Vader and the Empire’s Inquisitors. Laranth’s preferred weapon is a blaster rather than a lightsaber, which is just as well since in this day and age, a lightsaber would make her more of a target.
Recurring Character Introduced: Coruscant Nights 1 : Jedi Twilight
Timing: Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Fy Tor Ana AKA Solace
This Jedi was another who escaped Order 66 to the deepest darkest depths of Coruscant. Building a settlement there she took control, and led refugees to shelter there. When her hideout was discovered, she fled, aiding the Bellassan Resistance by rescuing there members and followed up by rescuing Astri Oddo and her son.
Recurring Character Introduced: The Last of the Jedi: Underworld by Jude Watson. Mentioned also in Jedi Quest, the Dangerous Games
Timing: Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Astri Oddo Divinian
Astri’s tale begins in the prequel era. A friend of Jedi, she is raising her son, Lune and hiding from his Imperial sympathizer father when the Empire is declared. Lune is Force sensitive, and this means he is in danger of being picked up by Imperial agents as well. Juggling protecting her son with aiding resistance, she meets up with the former Jedi Ferus Olin and helps him try and protect Jedi. Astri soon is befriended by another resistance member. Together they continue the battle while raising Lune and the orphan they adopted, Trever Flume.
Recurring Character Introduced: Jedi Apprentice: The Deadly Hunter by Jude Watson: first Rebellion era: The Last of the Jedi: A Tangled Web by Jude Watson
Timing: Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Major Oniye Namada
Imperial officer assigned to Darth Vader on Vaklin. The goal was to find a Jedi leading a rebellion. In addition to conquer and convert the people by erasing all trace of the Jedi influence on that world.
Introduced: Purge: Tyrant’s Fist
Timing: soon after Revenge of the Sith
Jessica Meade
This freelance trader and pilot jumps into action to fight a crime lord to help Jann Tosh, a young miner looking to travel. She stays on to help defend the true king of Tammuz-an , Mon Julpa and help him claim the throne. She sticks around to help deliver his cargo through an attack by Kybo Ren’s pirate gang.
Recurring Character Introduced: Droids (animated) The Lost Prince
Timing: Before A New Hope
Leia Organa
In her early years Leia was already learning about the darkness in the government. The first time she met Palpatine as Alderaan’s junior representative she could feel the evil surrounding him, even before she knew she was Force sensitive. The anti alien bias of the government horrified her. It was Leia who encouraged Starkiller, still ostensibly working from Vader, to destroy the Imperials ability to ship wookiee slaves off Kashyyyk before she fled the base she was held hostage there. It was Leia, after this was smoothed out, that found the Rebel trooper who had information about the Death Star to deliver to Bail Organa. She also helped lure more info out of Lord Tion on the subject. Surviving the destruction of Alderaan and the torture of Darth Vader, she had to mourn her loss largely in private. Officially Leia was a general in the Aliance, though the title was rarely used. Leia also had to deal with her own people at times blaming her for the destruction of Alderaan, believing if the Organa family hadn’t been courting the Rebellion they’d not have been targeted. She also had to juggle her duties with the growing feeling for Han Solo, and the need to take time from her Alliance duties to rescue him.
Introduced: A New Hope
Bria Tharen
Bria TharenThe Corellian woman was initially a dupe of the Ylesian colony but was freed and rescued by a young Han Solo. While she loved Han, Bria found she was continuously fighting the addiction she was introduced to at Ylesia and simultaneously outraged that slavery was allowed in the Empire. She joins the Rebellion and is involved in Operation Skyhook, which sends the captured Death Star plans to Princess Leia on the Tantive.
Recurring Character Introduced: Han Solo and the Paradise Snare by Ann Crispin
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Juno Eclipse
A top Imperial pilot in one of Vader’s squadrons, she finds herself reluctant to bomb an already conquered population. Then she finds herself charged with ferrying his Secret Apprentice all over the galaxy on missions – a job that has provenly a high turnover of pilots. When Vader apparently turns to murder the apprentice only to have him reawaken in a medley, she herself is locked up and scheduled for execution since he wants no witnesses. The fleeing apprentice ignores orders to leave no witnesses (destroying the whole base) and rescues her. Now thoroughly turned against an Empire that cast her off, Juno is all for joining a Rebellion that doesn’t exist yet. Ultimately her influence is what inspires Starkiller to go from his assigned mission to reveal traitors and leads to him sacrificing himself to save them at the critical moment to form the Alliance. By the time his apparent clone returns, she is already a Captain in the Alliance.
Recurring Character Introduced: The Force Unleashed by Lucasarts (game) Dark Horse Comics: W. Haden Blackman, Brian Ching, Bong Dazo and Book: Sean Williams .
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Jan Ors
An alliance agent from Alderaan, she finds herself on a communication station under attack by the Empire at a critical moment. That moment is when Kyle Katarn was the cadet leader of the Imperial troops. She met him once again during a trip on a starliner and reveals the truth of how his father died at the hands of the Empire, bringing him into the Rebellion. From then on he and Jan are often paired on missions. Often she rescues him in the nick of time. Jan tends to carry everything from garrotes to explosives: that’s not makeup in her carry bag!
Recurring Character Introduced: Dark Forces by Lucasarts, Dark Forces Soldier for the Empire Novella: William C. Dietz, Dean Williams
Timing: Set before A New Hope – to the New Republic era.
Deena Shan
Just an average Alliance recruit that found it overwhelming working with heroes like Luke, Han and Leia, she rose to the challenge to become a hero herself when faced with the daunting challenge of destroying a star destroyer single handed. Set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back
Recurring Character Introduced: Star Wars Empire 21: Alone Together, Dark Horse Comics
Timing: Set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back
Shira Brie
This imperial agent infiltrated the Alliance as an X-Wing Pilot in Rogue Squadron. Her mission: discredit Luke Skywalker and drive a wedge between him and the Rebel alliance. Raised on Coruscant she was trained by COMPNOR and recommended for Imperial Intelligence by Vader. He trained her as a shadow hand. She came close to succeeding in her mission with Luke Skywalker but was nearly killed by him. Vader put her back together as a cyborg and presented her to the Emperor who accepted her as an Emperor’s Hand.
Recurring Character Introduced: Classic Marvel Star Wars 56
Timing: After The Empire Strikes Back
Fiolla of Lorrd
A corporate Sector employee hot the the trail of corrupt higher ups, this Lorrdian woman had a reason to hate slavery. Her people’s were once subjugated by slavers. Tracking down a slavery ring in the Corporate Sector Authority, she found herself unable to rely on the official authorities when she found they were involved. She went on to become a top player in the corporate sector after she and Han Solo uncovered the CSA officers involved in the ring. Knowing the Corporate Sector was highly corrupt, she chose to work her way to the top and do her fighting from the inside.
Character Introduced: Han Solo Adventures: Han Solo ‘s Revenge by Brian Daley
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Jessa
The daughter of a the leader of the Outlaw Techs in the Corporate Sector, she became leader when her father ‘Doc’ vanished. Leading the Outlaw techs into hiding from the Corporate Sector Authority, she also struck a bargain with Han Solo that gave him a upgrades to his ship in exchange for helping a band of infiltrators looking for lost ones like Doc.
Character Introduced: Han Solo Adventures: Han Solo at Star’s End by Brian Daley
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Attuare
This female Trianni Ranger had lost a husband to the Corporate Sector and had already dealt with recovering a child who had been tortured until he went mute. She bravely sought out the deepest secret prison to free her mate and challenge the CSA security police.
Character Introduced: Han Solo Adventures: Han Solo at Star’s End by Brian Daley
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Hasti
This down and out young woman had nothing. Then she joined forces with a team including Badure, Skynx the ruurian professor, Bollux, Blue Max and of course, Han Solo and Chewie. The set out on a quest to find a treasure and along the way deal out some revenge to the people who killed her sister. After the fact she joined up with a university.
Character Introduced: Han Solo Adventures: Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Tash Arranda
Yes she’s young, but this orphan of Alderaan is already making inroads and dealing havoc to the Empire. Barely in her teens she keeps wrecking Imperial Secret weapons projects, alongside her Uncle Hoole (in spite of his efforts to keep her out of it) and her brother, Zak. Her greatest gaol is to become a Jedi and she already has what it takes.
Recurring Character Introduced: Galaxy of Fear series 1, Eaten Alive by John Whitman
Timing: Set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back to after Return of the Jedi.
Iella Stark
Apparent daughter of the outlaw Iaco Stark that caused the Great Hyperspace War, she is desperate to get out of her brother’s repeated attempts to get her married off to some rich boor for financial gain. She gets her chance when Jahan Cross, Imperial Agent comes along. Helping him uncover Iaco’s secret threat, she discovers Stark isn’t really her father and escapes to a new life on Coruscant.
Character Introduced: Dark Horse Comics Agent of the Empire 1 Iron Eclipse by John Ostrander, Stephane Roux
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Candra Tymon
Head of House Dooku security. She was given the job in spite of the fact that few on Serenno believed a woman could handle it. But Adan Dooku (nephew of the former Jedi Dooku) believed in her. She was his protector as well as that of his son, Bron. When Adan was assassinated the battle to protect Bron from being used as a pawn by a regent led to her to risk it all to save him.
Character Introduced: Dark Horse Comics Agent of the Empire 2 Hard Targets by John Ostrander
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Aveca Dunn AKA Vex
This freelance spy once worked for the bothan spy net as well as Imperial Intelligence. One of her last known missions was to kidnap young Bron Dooku for the man who wanted to be regent. His goal: to rescue Bron and silence the opposition who didn’t believe him suitable. Stopped by Jahan Cross he helped her break prison in exchange for info on the buyer. She then hired Boba Fett to go after Bron and hasn’t been seen since. Character Introduced: Dark Horse Comics Agent of the Empire 2 Hard Targets by John Ostrander
Timing: Set before A New Hope.
Nera Dantels
Captain Nera Dantels was a smuggler who worked with the Alliance. Her ship was the Starduster. She runs supplies for the Alliance. She also joins in several missions involving Red Squadron. Dantel’s was very close to Biggs Darklighter and the members of Red Squadron, including Wedge and Hobbie.
Introduced: Empire issue 12.
Timing: Before and after A New Hope
Mara Jade
Mara Jade was the Emperor’s Hand, one of his personal agents. She exposed corruption in the Empire and traitors, she also performed assassinations. A bit naive but firmly believing in the Emperor, she nonetheless was known to use unorthodox means and stand up for the individual who aided her, requesting (and often getting) protection for the individual. Her 2 missions were to kill Luke Skywalker, which was her only failure. Her last mission before the Emperor’s death was to take out the leader Black Nebula gang.
Recurring Character Introduced: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn, first Rebellion era: Mara Jade by the Emperor’s Hand by Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole, Dark Horse Comics
Timing: Set before The Empire Strikes Back to after Return of the Jedi – stay tuned for more on her in the women of the New Republic era.
Dusque Mistflier
Dusque was a xenobiologist reluctantly working for the Empire. While she loved her job and the science, she was held back from advancement because she was a woman. When Finn Darktrin approached her, he convinced her to aid him in seeking a holocron of rebel sympathizers for the Rebellion. Dusque’s skills proved invaluable in the mission. Her choices were tested when someone she was close too turned on her. Dusque chose to continue on as a member of the Rebel Alliance after the mission.
Character Introduced: Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine by Voronica Whitney-Robinson and Haden Blackman
Timing: Between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back
Tinian I’att
This Druckenwell native was heir to Iatt arms until the day and Imperial officer decided he wanted to take credit for an invention that would’ve given stormtroopers shielding for their armor. When the officer couldn’t convince her grandparents to go along willingly (as they were planning retirement), he had them executed. Tinian was wearing the armor for the demonstration, she fled with the help of Wrrlevgebevc, a wookiee who owed her a life debt, and her friend and lover Daye Azur-Jamin. She went and apprenticed herself to the wookiee bounty hunter Chenlambec.
Character Introduced: Tinian on Trial, Star Wars Adventure Journal 4 by Kathy Tyers
Timing: Right before A New Hope
Scarlet Hark
Rebel agent, independent and determined, this spy was skilled in undercover work, combat (including unarmed) and crime. She was a thrill seeker and loved the rush of being in danger. Her work included convincing an Imperial to turn over next generation star destroyer plans after being ordered to attack an innocent world, as well as finding an ancient weapon that was capable of disrupting hyperdrive.
Character Introduced: Honor Among Thieves by James A. Corey
Timing: Between ANH and TESB
Salla Zend
Smuggler based on Nar Shaddaa and one time sweetheart of Han Solo. She used to race him on the Kessel Run until the day her ship got too close to a Black Hole. When he rescued her she got to thinking about marriage, leading him to flee for the Corporate Sector. She eventually reunites after the Fall of the Empire and helps him infiltrate Byss.
Character Introduced: Dark Empire (fleshed out in Han Solo The Hutt Gambit).
Timing: pre-ANH to Dark Empire.
Platt O’ Keefe
Infamous and independent smuggler allied with the Rebels, she was from a well known Brentaal IV merchants family. Her adventures in smuggling included getting sold into slavery, escaping, and running many cargoes for the Alliance. She is one of few who landed on Dagobah (in company of Tash and Zak Arranda with their Uncle Hoole) while Yoda was there. She also advised others on the smuggler life via a handbook.
Character Introduced: Chessa’s Doom, Star Wars Adventure Journal 1 by Peter M. Schweighofer
Timing: ANH – Post ROTJ
Doc
F
ighter pilot and member of Red Squadron. Contemporary of Biggs Darklighter, Hobbie Klivian, and Wedge Antillies.
Character Introduced: Empire 11
Timing: Just before ANH
Tanith Shire
Luke Skywalker bumps into this young woman while on a mission. He gets in trouble and she helps him escape. Turns out she’s a ship-jacker, enslaved to the ‘Serpent Masters’ who run a scavenge operation. She was operating as a pilot and a mechanic undercover at the shipyards of Fondor. Naturally the hero helps the young woman free her people. She was extremely outgoing and very interested in Luke. However their duties, his to the Rebellion and hers to her newly freed people, would send their paths in different directions.
Character Introduced: Star Wars Comic Strips, Later reprinted by Dark Horse as Classic Star Wars 2
Timing: Just after ANH
Rasha Bex
Imperial spy who later went on to become a Captain on Ahakistan. Her loyalties were divided when she enlisted the aid of the smuggler Boshek who had rebel leanings. Misunderstanding her purpose, he fought back when the Imperials arrived and were arrested. Wanting to find a way to get him back, she ended up involved in a complicated plot started by the Information broker, Raze to gain access to a secret Imperial installation.
Character Introduced: Empire 23
Timing: Just after ANH
