"Oh, the General? To me, she is royalty."

This line of dialogue from the character Lor San Tekka in "Star Wars the Force Awakens" perfectly epitomized Carrie Fisher both on screen and in daily life. She was regal and elegant, but also a fighter for what she believed was right and on how she should live her own life.

I was first introduced to Carrie Fisher in the same way that millions of other fans were. The original film in the greatest saga ever told, "Star Wars: A New Hope", revealed to the world the character we all know as Princess Leia.

Portraying the daughter of Senator Bail Organa was only a fraction of Carrie Fisher's life and career, however I know her best as this character. Fisher's role as Princess Leia influenced me in ways that I had not realized until now.

When we were first introduced to Princess Leia in that iconic hologram from astromech droid R2-D2, Leia seemed like the stereotypical damsel. She was pleading to Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi as "Her only hope". With old Ben Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and Han Solo in route for a rescue attempt, it seemed as if "Star Wars" would follow the generic, stereotypical pattern for women that had been ongoing in Hollywood for decades.

In a positive twist for the ages, the apparent damsel in distress turned into a heroine that was a symbol of hope and a leader among a galaxy full of men. Princess Leia was a bright light among a dark universe. She stood face to face with the embodiment of evil in Darth Vader. She focused on the task at hand even after witnessing the destruction of her home planet of Alderaan, along with the deaths of her entire family. She also managed to inspire the dream of the Rebellion, and that even against the mightiest odds those who fight with a good purpose can prevail.

Was Princess Leia the most powerful character? Could she wield a lightsaber? Was she immune to all threats? The answer to all of those questions is no. However, she still stood out as a character with immense strength. Her character influenced my perspective on women. Through Princess Leia, I learned that a woman does not need a man to always do everything for her. A woman can be a fighter, but also a lover. A woman can be in charge, and lead with the utmost effectiveness. A woman can be royalty just by being herself.

Carrie Fisher you will be missed and I know that wherever you are among the cosmos that the "Force Will Be With You Always."