Who is Sally Fowler from The Mote in God's Eye and what is their importance?

Lady Sandra Bright Fowler is the niece of the powerful Senator Benjamin Fowler. He raised her after her parents passed away. She is fresh out of school having just finished her studies in anthropology and is stuck on New Chicago when the rebellion hits. She ends up trapped on the planet and in a prison camp. Sally has a strong drive to something other than follow the social norm of get married and having children for the Empire.