On December 27, 2016, the world lost a great American icon, Carrie Fisher, who is most famous for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars films. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I was devastated by the news. I could not believe that she had passed. I watched all of the movies with my sister and read every article about her, as a small tribute to one of my biggest role models. I generally do not like to grieve or say anything about a celebrity's death, just because I feel strange doing so and because I did not know them personally, but this one hit me hard. As I looked at her daughter, Billie Lourd's posts on social media and tribute at the Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, I could not help but be heartbroken for the daughter who had just lost her mother.

I am currently reading Fisher's book, The Princess Diarist, and I am already in love. I started thinking about how Carrie Fisher's portrayal as Leia Organa has impacted my life. I loved watching the films as a child—Darth Vader was always my favorite because let's face it, the bad guys are always better. But as a girl, I automatically looked to Princess Leia as a role model, because that is what a typical child does, and boy, she did not disappoint. Leia's strong-willed personality and bravery gave little girls everywhere a worthy idol to look up to and see that it isn't just a man's world.

I just wanted to take a minute to thank Carrie Fisher for giving us Princess Leia. Thank you for inspiring little girls and women everywhere to be true to themselves. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into such a beautiful character.

Through her, may we always remember that even though we may fall down sometimes, we can always dust ourselves off and stand back up. May the force be with you, General.