Leia Organa: a Feminist Icon

When Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope hit theaters in 1977 it was an instant success, launching its unknown stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher into overnight A-List status. The film has spawned a prequel trilogy, as well as five sequels to date, a series of one-off prequels, games, books, and cartoons. Star Wars is arguably one of the most successful franchises of all time.
One of the film's biggest successes was creating a feminist icon in a time when they didn't really exist. At the time of the film's release strong women weren't often portrayed on film. There was Barbarella ten years beforehand, the women of Charlie's Angels (though constantly objectified,) and Catwoman from the original Batman television series (played by Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether.)
Princess Leia Organa (played by Carrie Fisher) completely changed the perspective on women's portayal in media. Sure, she grew up living a privileged existence, but Leia was no dainty damsel in distress.

Before she is captured by Darth Vader, Leia has the presence of mind to hide the plans to the Death Star in an R2 unit, where they can be delivered safely to Obi Wan Kenobi. While imprisoned, she castigated her captors, is mentally strong enough to resist the mind-probe of the interrogation droid, and even though the fate of her planet is at stake, she lies about the location of the hidden Rebel Base. When her planet is destroyed before her eyes, Leia doesn't crumble. When Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca arrive to rescue her, Leia is ready for action. Trapped in a corridor, she had the presence of mind to shoot open the grate of the garbage shoot. "Somebody has to save our skins," she retorts.

In the subsequent films she is shown to be fearless in battle, selfless, resilient. In Return of the Jedi Jabba the Hutt imprisons her and makes her wear a skimpy bikini; she bides her time until the opportunity arises and then chokes Jabba to death with her chain before fighting her way to safety. In the more recent films, Leia has become the leader of the Resistance, and although she is older, she still doesn't back away from danger.

Leia inspired many other strong women in the Star Wars universe, such as Padmé Amidala (her mother,) Jynn Erso, and Rey, the current films' lead heroine.
The character has also paved the way for strong women in sci fi in general: Buffy Summers, Xena, Starbuck (from the revival of Battlestar Galactica​,) River Tam, River Song, Aeryn Sun, Veronica Mars, the Charmed Ones..the list goes on and on. Without Leia, there wouldn't be the strong kick ass females we have now in science fiction.

Leia teaches little girls that they don't have to be rescued, that that they can have opinions, be strong, brave, independent, wise. She also didn't run around in skimpy costumes (with the exception of the metal bikini,) teaching women that they have a purpose outside of being sexually objectified for men's pleasure.
In my opinion, the modern feminist movement would be nowhere close to it is if were not for Leia Organa and Carrie Fisher.