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Uhura is Brightening Another Galaxy
Goodbye Nichelle Nichols, an icon for all good hearts in my generation
Like so many other people, I was saddened to hear that Nichelle Nichols, one of the most positive, beloved actors I can think of, had died.
I’ve already written about how I had the privilege and honor of visiting for a short time with three “Ladies of Star Trek,” including my childhood idol and role model, Nichelle Nichols/“Lt. Uhura” from the original Star Trek series.
Idols and role models aren’t always the same thing. For a time when I was in elementary school, I would come home from school and watch Star Trek before heading to softball practice, doing yard chores, or pretending I was a wilderness explorer. Most people would have said I was a tomboy, but I liked my Barbie dolls a lot — when I wasn’t operating on them to see how their legs worked.
I’m sitting here, tears streaming down my cheeks remembering how I would try to model my posture gracefully after Uhura’s motions.
How I wanted beautiful nails like hers. Shining brown eyes, a soft yet strong voice, beautiful hair.
I wanted to be confident, sophisticated, strong, and wise: like Uhura.
