No. 81: Nichelle Nicols
Episode Transcript
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Here’s a question for you: What iconic TV role inspired a young Whoopi Goldberg to run through her house shouting, 'Come quick! There's a Black lady on TV, and she ain't no maid!'?
Welcome back to "100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day Series." I’m Shae, a PhD candidate at Harvard, and I’m here to take you on a journey through the lives of extraordinary women who’ve shaped our world.
Today, we're diving into the stellar life of Nichelle Nichols—an actress, singer, and trailblazer whose role as Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek not only broke barriers but also boldly went where no Black woman had gone before on American television.
Nichols was born in 1932 in Robbins, Illinois, and grew up with a love for the performing arts. She began her career as a singer, performing with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton, but it was her casting as Uhura in 1966 that changed everything. At a time when Black women were typically relegated to roles as maids or nannies, Nichols' portrayal of Uhura was revolutionary. She was a competent, confident, and respected officer on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise—an image that was unheard of at the time.
But did you know Nichols almost left Star Trek after its first season? She felt the role wasn't substantial enough and wanted to return to the stage. However, a chance encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed her mind. Dr. King, a Trekkie himself, told her that her role was too important to walk away from. He believed her presence on television was breaking down stereotypes and opening doors for future generations.
Nichols took that advice to heart and stayed with the show, making television history with one of the first interracial kisses on screen alongside William Shatner in the episode "Plato's Stepchildren." This groundbreaking moment wasn’t just about romance; it was a powerful statement against the racial taboos of the time.
But Nichols didn’t stop there. After Star Trek, she worked with NASA to recruit women and people of color into the space program, inspiring a new generation of astronauts. Her efforts led to the recruitment of notable figures like Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Colonel Guion Bluford, the first African American in space.
Nichelle Nichols' legacy is as vast as the final frontier she explored on screen. From breaking racial barriers in entertainment to inspiring real-life astronauts, her impact is immeasurable.
And here’s a fun fact to wrap things up: Nichelle Nichols has an asteroid named after her—Asteroid 68410 Nichols! Now that’s how you leave a mark on the universe!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please rate this podcast five stars so more people can discover these amazing stories. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more inspiring content. Let’s make sure everyone knows about these extraordinary women by Election Day!
