Is Princess Leia considered a super hero?  Everyone in my department
at work is dressing as super heros, but my supervisor insists that
she doesn't count.

Howdy spankym-ga,

I think your supervisor is being a bit nitpicky, but they are technically
correct.  From the excellent free encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the definition
of "super hero" precludes Princess Leia from the "Star Wars" movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero

"A superhero is a fictional character who is noted for feats of courage and
nobility and who usually has a colorful name and costume, and abilities beyond
those of normal human beings."

The Wikipedia entry continues.

"A heroic character with a selfless, prosocial mission; who possesses ...
highly developed ... skills; who has a superidentity and iconic costume ...
and is generically distinct, i.e. can be distinguished from characters of
related genres (fantasy, science fiction, detective, etc.) ..."

Alas, Princess Leia has no real super powers (although she exhibits vague
psychic ability on occasion) and is an ordinary (albeit royal) person for
all intent.  Although her outfit is memorable, it is not iconic (think of
the giant "S" on Superman's uniform) and her equally memorable name, is
not one that suggests super hero, such as "Wonder Woman."

She is a character that fits, instead, in the science fiction/fantasy (or
perhaps more accurately, the "space opera" genre) category.  If that was
the theme, you would be all set.

Princess Leia would most certainly be considered a heroine, just not super.
The Dictionary.com definition of the word.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=heroine

"A woman noted for courage and daring action."

The Wikipedia site has a list of some female super heroes if you need some
other ideas.  I picked some of my favorites from their list.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_superheroes

- Black Canary
- Phoenix
- Storm
- Tigra
- Wonder Woman

If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.


Search strategy:  Personal knowledge

Google search on: "super hero" definition
://www.google.com/search?q=%22super+hero%22+definition

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Yes Princess Leia is considered a superhero. Even thought she may not
have superpowers such as wonderwomen. The thing is not all superheros
have special powers.Alot of charecters now adays have a cool costume
and can fight.

I agree with Denco. Leia is a brave, spunky gal, but she isn't on the
"superhero" level.

The "Force" should count as a super power.  Princess Leia is the twin
of skywalker, so she the force should be strong with her as well. 
Consequently, she should be considered a superhero.

I think Princess Leia is definitely a superhero.  dumbrhino-ga is
right, she has the Force, as does her twin Luke.  The Force is
tantamount to a special power, because not everyone has it, or at
least that strongly.  And in terms of iconic...c'mon, those hair
bagels on either side of her head are totally iconic!  I've seen
people do a "Princess Leia" in Pictionary, Cranium, Charades, etc.,
and all anyone has to do is draw bagels on a head, or circles on the
side of one's head, and voila, the answer.

Ahhh, the critical definitions include "highly developed ... skills."  Even
though Leia has the "Force" within her (as do all living things in the "Star
Wars" universe, at least according to Yoda, and who are we to argue with him?)
it is certainly not "highly developed" within her.

Although her hair style might be considered iconic, that again, is not enough
to meet the definition of a super hero.  If that was the case, Donald Trump
would be roaming the streets fighting crime.  Watch out!  It's the Swoop!

Being a super hero is a package deal, and although Princess Leia might have
some resemblances to the things that make up a super hero, none of them are
enough to classify her as such.  If anything, she is closer to Lois Lane,
than Superman.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher