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Adding my vote for Ellen Ripley.
There are others that come to mind from more obscure movies I've watched more recently, like the women in Grandma (2015), Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020), and even Men (2022), also non-fictional women like those in Kokomo City (2023). There are so many more I can picture in my mind but can't put my finger on the movie and or am just shit with names so I can't think of them right now, but might come back to update.
Literally the first name that popped into my head when I saw the question. There are plenty of other good choices, but she has to be near the top of any list.
Incidentally... am I having federation issues? This is the only comment I see mentioning Ripley. I see 11 comments currently...
Linda Hamilton - Terminator
I had to say something different, because I would have said Ripley first.
+1 for each of those, and i'll add clarice starling, uhura, michael burnham, Evelyn Quan Wang (everything everywhere all at once), helen lyle (candyman)
Ellen Ripley. Under pressure she steps up and does what needs doing. Whether that means operating a loader, comforting a child or making monsters extinct.
Ellen Ripley from the Alien series.
Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul 😍
I came here to mention her. She should be a case study on how to write believable, badass and strong characters
Ellen Ripley. She will wreck your shit and yeet you into space.
Leela from Futurama
Lieutenant Ellen Ripley.
Trillian from hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. People see the book as satire but she really knew where her towel was.
Ripley
Captain/Admiral Kathryn Janeway
Roberta "Bobbie" Draper from The Expanse was the first to jump into my head.
Avasarala is my pick
That’s funny. I also posted Naomi Nagata. While I like Chrisjen and Bobby more, I think Naomi wins for strong independent. General of the resistance, self-marooned insurgent, and the escape of the Chetzmoka.
Major Matoko Kusanagi from the Ghost in the Shell series.
Ripley
Sarah Connor
No love for the bad bitch Agent Dana Scully?
Buffy. I was the right age (or maybe a bit too young) when it aired and it was the first female-led show that I fell in love with.
Xena
Aloy from the Horizon games was my first thought.
Zoe from Firefly, Tiffany Aching from Discworld are two that come to mind
Can't believe princess Leia hasn't been mentioned yet.
"What the hell are you doing?" "Somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute flyboy!"
Lol
Zoe, Inara, Kaylee, and River. Mic drop.
Korra and Toph from Avatar, Tsunade and Sakura from Naruto
Agnes Nutter, Good Omens.
Alternatively, "The most powerful person in Discworld is Granny Weatherwax"
Samus came to mind immediately
Captain Janeway
Hermione Granger because I read so little fiction that this is the first woman (?) that comes to mind.
Clobberella from Futurama.
But I rather prefer to read about real strong women. Like scientists, nobel prize winners, political figures and people of (contemporary) history. Or I just consume their content if they're an author, comedian or content creator.
Not the first that comes to mind, but I have to add Nausicaa into the mix. She shows her strength through nothing but kindness and determination, without the need for violence or cold cruelty. A frightened critter bites her, and she endures the pain to keep soothing it without interruption. Ripley's a badass, but she'd never be able to do that.
Xena Warrior Princess
Lara Croft
Lara Croft from the first "Tomb Raider" movie, played by Angelina Jolie.
The bride from kill bill.
The first one I thought of was Mara Jade.
Fuck you Disney!
