Sally Barsoom

Dejah Thoris, often referred to simply as Sally in some adaptations, is the fictional Red Martian princess from Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom universe, first introduced in 'A Princess of Mars' (1912). The character represents early science fiction's approach to strong female characters—an educated, intelligent woman of royal status who is equally resourceful and capable. In the canonical novels, she becomes the romantic partner of the protagonist John Carter, the human transplanted to Mars, and plays crucial roles in the political and military conflicts of Martian civilization. Across the extensive Barsoom series, Dejah Thoris is portrayed as politically savvy, scientifically minded, and physically capable, breaking from many conventions of early 20th-century female characters in being actively involved in the plot's central conflicts rather than remaining passive. The character has been adapted numerous times in film, television, and comics, with different interpretations emphasizing different aspects of her character. Dejah Thoris/Sally remains iconic in science fiction history as one of the earliest strong female characters in the genre, predating many later feminist science fiction heroines.