Today, our featured Woman in Sci Fi History Month is the multi-talented Nichelle Nichols.
Born and raised near Chicago, Illinois Nichelle began her career as a singer. Performing in musicals and later on touring the United States, Canada, and Europe with Lionel Hampton and freaking Duke Ellington!
When Nichelle was cast in Star Trek as Lieutenant Uhura, it was groundbreaking! Never before had a black woman been featured in a major television series as anything else but a servant. She was a bridge officer and that was unheard of.
After the first season she wanted to leave and pursue her career on Broadway but because she had such a huge impact on black women and children, such an incredible fan base, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked her to change her mind. She did.
After Star Trek was canceled, Nichelle began to volunteer with NASA to recruit female and minority personnel. Several noted people were recruited including Dr. Sally Ride and Dr. Judith Resnik who passed away during the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy.
Nichelle continues to work as an actress, singer, and voiceover artist at the young age of 82!
She has released two musical albums Down To Earth and Out Of This World.
The Historic Kiss Between Captain Kirk And Lt.Uhura
Nichelle Nichols Singing “Why Don’t You Do Right”
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