Strong Women in Science Fiction: Book List

Ok, it's not just books. It is, however, just science fiction so far as I can tell. I knew if I opened it up to fantasy as well, it would become unmanageable, so I may follow up with a second list if there is interest.  As it is, I've got over 60 names on the list! As someone commented, it might have been shorter to come up with a list of books that didn't have strong female main characters. 

One of the top suggestions for strong women in SF, this is a classic read for anyone.

The point was to come up with a list of women who aren't in search of a husband, who are self-rescuing princesses, damsels that can't be bothered to be distressed. I have done a similar list a few years back, but this one was just SF. I posted the request in a handful of fan groups and on my Wall in facebook, since I know that's the best way to accumulate a lot of fandom involvement. Several hundred comments and suggestions later... I created a spreadsheet. I wound up going with a rough vote sorting to rank the female characters, making each mention a 'vote' on the spreadsheet. This is not perfect, and doesn't properly represent every vote, because facebook delenda est. However, it is representative, and it's a fun list for those who enjoy reading about women who shoot back and don't wait on someone to come and get them... most of the time. 

You can see the whole list here. I'm only putting the names which received more than one mention in this post, as it gets cumbersome. 

Honor Harrington On Basilisk Station  David Weber 16 Friday Friday Robert Heinlein 13 Faith and Sophia Smith Black Tide Rising series John Ringo 12 Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee TnT, Telzey Amberdon James Schmitz 11 Alicia DeVries In Fury Born David Weber 8 Lessa (and others) Pern Series Anne McCaffrey 8 Torin Kerr A Confederation of Valor Tanya Huff 8 Catherine Blackwood Her Bother's Keeper Mike Kupari 7 Cordelia Naismith Cordelia's Honor Lois McMaster Bujold 7 Zoe and River Firefly   7 Athena Sinistra Darkship Thieves Sarah Hoyt 6 Hazel Stone Rolling Stones Robert Heinlein 6 Podkayne Podkayne of Mars Robert Heinlein 6 Ripley Alien   6 Adele Mundy (and Tovara) RCN Series David Drake 5 Dana "Comet" Parker The Hot Gate John Ringo 5 Heris Serrano Hunting Party Elizabeth Moon 5 Jaina Solo and Tenel Ka Star Wars (books)  Karen Traviss 5 Kendra Pacelli Freehold Michael Z Williamson 5 Kristine Longknife  Kris Longknife Mike Shepherd 5 Kylara Vatta Vatta series Elizabeth Moon 5 Empress Star Glory Road Robert Heinlein 4 Jiltanith Dahak Series David Weber 4 Killashandra Crystal Singer Anne McCaffrey 4 Clarissa MacDougall Lensman EE "Doc" Smith 3 Jirel of Joiry Jirel of Joiry CL Moore 3 Leia Organa Star Wars (movies)   3 Nicole Shea First Flight Chris Claremont 3 Ofelia Remnant Population Elizabeth Moon 3 Samantha Carter Stargate SG-1   3 Sassinak Sassinak trilogy Anne McCaffrey 3 Signy Mallory Downbelow Station CJ Cherryh 3 Wilma Deering Buck Rogers   3 Commander Susan Ivanova Babylon 5   2 Eliza Baroque Cycle Neil Stephenson 2 Helva Ship who Sang Anne McCaffrey 2 Kyrie Draw One in the Dark Sarah Hoyt 2 Maleen, Goth, and the Leewit Witches of Karres James Schmitz 2 Miri Robertson Liaden Series Sharon Lee and Steve Miller 2 Moira Sayres Sequoyah Sabrina Chase 2 Sarah Connor Terminator   2 Barbara Richards Walking on the Sea of Clouds Gray Rinehart 2

Header art is "Elevator Out of Order" by Artof Justaman

A note about my methods: I don't usually include self-nominated books. I didn't include my own work on this list, although I was very flattered to see it nominated on one of the threads. I do spend hours working on these that I'm not spending on writing, so if you feel moved, there's a tip the author paypal button in the sidebar. 

For more book lists, click here, and always, enjoy reading! I love books, and it makes me happy to spread the joy.