Nichelle Nichols costumed as Lieutenant Uhura, 1967.
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Some stars shine brighter than others.
Enterprise on the beloved TV seriesStar Trek.
Nichelle Nichols costumed as Lieutenant Uhura, 1967. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Paying tribute to her are her former costars, scientists, and politicians.
Born Grace Dell Nichols in Illinois in 1932, Nichols got her start in musical theater.
With an impressive vocal range, she made it all the way to Broadway.
Nichelle Nichols at GalaxyCon in Minneapolis in 2019. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY 2.0)
In fact, stage offers almost drew her away fromStar Trek, her iconic celestial role.
It was Martin Luther King Jr. who convinced her to stay on in the role.
He said, No, no, no.
No, you don’t understand.
We don’t need you…to march.
You are reflecting what we are fighting for.'
So, I said to him, Thank you so much.'
It was not just Dr. King who viewed Nichols as the pioneer she was.
Her role as Lieutenant Uhura was pivotal in the history of television.
Uhura was in fact a name of her own creation adapted from the Swahili worduhuru, meaning freedom.
Nichols was devoted to advancing representation in space tooactivism befitting her most famous TV character.
Nichols also worked with NASA to help them recruit female astronauts.
However, no one can better describe her life’s work than her own son.
Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.
Activist and actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura onStar Trek, dies at 89.
Nichelle Nichols at GalaxyCon in Minneapolis in 2019.
We are sad to learn of the passing of Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura on#StarTrek.
One of my most treasured photos Godspeed to Nichelle Nichols, champion, warrior and tremendous actor.
Her kindness and bravery lit the path for many.
