In 1983, several actresses filmed scenes as star pilots in the Battle of Endor for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. However, they did not make it into the final cut of the film or dubbed over as men. Since then, though, there have been many female star pilots in both the Star Wars films and series.
In 1999, George Lucas rectified the omission 16 years later in The Phantom Menace. British actress Celia Imrie portrayed Naboo starfighter Dinee Ellberger. The character assisted the Jedi and Naboo's liberation of the planet against the Trade Federation.
With the exception of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the four other films released under Disney have featured female star pilots. In The Force Awakens, Jessica Henwick portrayed X-Wing pilot Jessika Pava. Henwick was a finalist for the role of Rey and won over director J.J. Abrams to give her a role in the film. Her character was a part of the Battle of Scarif and was one of the survivors towards the end of the battle. The character soon would be featured in several comics and books in the new canon since her character's introduction.
Henwick spoke to the Hollywood Reporter of the popularity of her character, saying, "It was lovely. I think people really connected to the fact that she was the first female X-wing pilot that we’ve seen — in the films, anyway."
British actress, Geraldine James, portrayed Rebel Alliance pilot Jaldine Gerams in Rogue One. In fact, she almost declined the role because of the planning of her daughter's wedding, but upon insistence from her daughter, she took on the role.
Several series on the Disney channel and Disney Plus have also featured female pilots.
Actress Maya Erskine portrayed a female pilot in the live action series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The character was a pilot who was working with the Path. It was underground movement and early precursor to the Rebel Alliance. She flew a T-47 airspeeder (first seen in The Empire Strikes Back) on the series.
Both Disney Channel Series, Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars Resistance have featured female star pilots quite extensively. One of Rebels' main characters, Hera Syndulla, piloted the Ghost throughout the run of the series. This fan favorite character would go on to be one of the stars of the live action series Ahsoka.
In Resistance, Torra Doza and her mother Venisa were both a part of the Resistance movement and became prominent members of the fight. Her mother served in the Rebel Alliance as a pilot and joined the Resistance soon afterward. Cut concept artwork for Torra's ship showed that she was one of the many fighters at the Battle of Exegol in The Rise of Skywalker. Torra often raced against her fellow pilot on the Colossus Freya Fenris.
March is Women's History Month and is a celebration of women throughout our world. We celebrate the powerful women who have bravely flown X-wings, W-wings, racers, and a variety of vessels throughout a galaxy far, far, away.