This week we want to celebrate the life of a person whose impact was much bigger than just her role on Star Trek.

We’re talking, of course, about Nichelle Nichols and her recent passing.

She played Lt. Uhura. A female, African American officer who was stationed on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise. In the 1960s, African American characters did not have prominent positions of authority. So Lt. Uhura, a woman as well, was a special character. 

Nichelle was not only a ground breaking, African American actor, though. She was also a ground breaking for all women. Lt. Uhura was a strong Starfleet officer on a TV show when most women were not encouraged to have careers.

While her character was strong, she was also very feminin. Nichelle's take on the character was something TV audiences had never seen before. 

In the end, Nichelle's work on Star Trek showed minorities that more was possible for their own lives.

Nichelle's life after Star Trek was also notable. In the 1970s, she landed a job with NASA, helping to recruit women and minorities to the organization. Some 8,000 applied to NASA, including Sally Ride and Guion Bluford, the first African american astronaut.

Co-hosts Kelly Casto and Bob Turner share their candid thoughts on the life of Nichelle Nichols.