Tribute to Nichelle Nichols
Tribute to Nichelle Nichols.
Every decade or so, someone will be proclaimed as ‘Finally a strong female character’ or ‘This role will change how people of color will be portrayed’, and despite the merits of the people being associated with these roles rarely will any of them have the impact of the original strong female role of Uhura played by Nichelle Nichols, a black woman on prime time television in a regular role, something almost unseen in 1960’s television.
Grace Dell Nichols was born December 28th 1932, after several years of trying to find her place in both acting and singing, she found it by combing to two in the musical Kicks and Co. in 1961, by the middle of the decade she was touring as a singer do small roles on television, one of which in 1964 was a small part in a show ‘The Lieutenant’ which was produced by Gene Roddenberry. That crossing of paths proved fortuitous when later in the decade Roddenberry went on to create Star Trek.
His first pilot was unsuccessful, rejected in part because of the portrayal of woman in positions of power and decision making, so in the second pilot Roddenberry removed those roles and replaced them with men, however he made sure that the bridge was not devoid of woman and created the role of Uhura which was not just given to a white woman but to Nichelle Nichols a black woman, breaking down so many barriers in one move.
Uhura was never a glorified phone operator with sci-fi trimmings, she was part of the decision-making team, she had her own expertise that was essential to the running of the ship. And Nichelle Nichols embodied that role making her an essential element of the show.
When she planned to leave at the end of the first season to pursue a career on Broadway Martin Luther King encouraged her to stay, she later recalled him saying to her;
“Do you not understand what God has given you? … You have the first important non-traditional role, non-stereotypical role. … You cannot abdicate your position. You are changing the minds of people across the world, because for the first time, through you, we see ourselves and what can be.”
Those words cannot be underestimated, and fortunately for us she remained with the show. We can talk about the kiss, we can talk abut the strength of her character, the presence that Nichols brought to the role, but that presence on our television screen and later on our movie screens, changed perceptions, making the impossible possible and giving hope and dreams to millions that what today is a ‘no’ tomorrow will be a ‘yes’.
In addition to Star Trek she worked with NASA to improve recruitment of woman in NASA including astronauts. In 1992 was awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, for her contribution to television. And in 2016 she was the first woman to receive The Life Career Award, from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.
Yesterday at the age 89 she passed away, but her legacy will live on in and as every new barrier is broken through, as we make steps towards equality of gender, race and orientation, Nichelle Nichols will be behind them all as she showed that it was possible to break those barriers in the first place. Give me the first black superhero, give me a strong female lead, give me the next first, they are all important but let’s remember and celebrate Nichelle Nichols for what she started.
Rest in Peace Nichelle and thank you for the memories.
Write up - Ian Warrender
Video by - Tyler Luyster aka. Fleetpaw Swiftback
Music from Star Trek 6 Soundtrack
Thumbnail Photo Credit - James Cawley (Star Trek Original Series Set Tour - Ticonderoga)
Special Thanks to - Joe Torres
Пікірлер: 260
Wonderful tribute to a lady who kept our hailing frequencies open for decades and boldly went where were no one has gone before.
@bradthurkle7217
2 жыл бұрын
Beautifully said.
She is a legend. She is immortal. A face in the history books. Starfleet has lost one of their best today. 🥂To absent friends…
@ThirdOfJune4444
2 жыл бұрын
I tried to find the words, but I couldn't. You said it all.
@seanoneill9606
2 жыл бұрын
Indeed.
I think they got the character of Uhura past the network executives by giving her the position of communications officer, something like a receptionist, but the character as played by Nichelle was never subservient in any way and provided a strong role model for many black women as well as people in general. She has my greatest respect.
Nichelle Nichols is everlasting and will always exist. She was such a remarkable beautiful go-getter, a fearless fighter with an amazing spirit and tremendous God given talent. RIP Nichelle!
She was able to live long and prosper. May we all be so lucky. 🖖
Thank you so much for all you did my dear Nichelle. See you out there. 🖖
I was so sad to hear she passed. Keep her dear friend Walter Kenoing in your prayers. Nichelle was with her family and Walter at the end. She was such a beautiful soul! She will be missed.
@Trijem
2 жыл бұрын
Don't you mean Walter Koenig?
@danieltallon5087
2 жыл бұрын
Wait. Koenig died too ?
@danielseelye6005
2 жыл бұрын
@@danieltallon5087 No, he didn't die. He's gonna be vulnerable with the passing of his dear friend.
@chasea.williams6025
2 жыл бұрын
@@danieltallon5087 no
@chasea.williams6025
2 жыл бұрын
@@Trijem yes typo
Another crew member has embarked on the journey, the journey that will take her where all of us, sooner or later, will go. Godspeed.
wow ,sadness, we have lost DeForest Kelly, 1920-1999, James Doohan, 1920-2005, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, 1932-2008, Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015, and now Nichelle Nichols, in spite of that they will always live in in our hearts for all time, lived long and prospered they did! God bless them
@60sAmethyst
2 жыл бұрын
🕯🌹🕊🌹🕯
@sarahkinsey5434
2 жыл бұрын
Aron Eisenberg and Rene Auberjonois hit me hard. Aron was too young and I didn't know Rene had been sick for a while. Sometimes it feels like they're immortal.
@andreasklindt7144
2 жыл бұрын
They do! It saddend me this morning to hear of Nichelle Nichols passing. I like to think that they're all in a better place now and that they can explore the universe in ways we can't even imagine. I would also like to add some more names to your list. Jeffrey Hunter (Christopher Pike), 1926-1969; Merritt Butrick (David Marcus), 1959-1989; Bibi Besch (Carol Marcus), 1940-1996; Mark Lenard (Sarek), 1924-1996; Persis Khambatta (Ilia), 1948-1998; Kellie Waymire (Elizabeth Cutler), 1967-2003; Paul Winfield (Clark Terrell & Dathon), 1939-2004; Brock Peters (Admiral Cartwright & Joseph Sisko), 1927-2005; Jane Wyatt (Amanda Grayson), 1910-2006; Ricardo Montalban (Khan Noonien Singh), 1920-2009; Grace Lee Whitney (Janis Rand), 1930-2015; Anton Yelchin (Pavel Chekov, Kelvin Timeline), 1989-2016; Barry Jenner (Admiral William Ross), 1941-2016; Aron Eisenberg (Nog), 1969-2019; Rene Auberjonois (Odo), 1940-2019; Ben Cross (Sarek, Kelvin Timeline), 1947-2020; "Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived." Jean-Luc Picard
@sarahkinsey5434
2 жыл бұрын
@@andreasklindt7144 D.C Fontana too
@FLAME4564
2 жыл бұрын
@@sarahkinsey5434 Indeed may the spirits of those Actors and actresses long passed continue to keep the legacy of the Star Trek universe and timelines as a whole alive and enduring for as long as it can and inspire us all and if possible inspire the hearts of the producers to continue to bring whatever content they can and whatever fan content we can as a fan community and ofc as long as Cryptic can continue to pump out more content in STO since STO is now officialy cannon and appart of the Star Trek Picard fold now.
Nichelle Nichols may have gone beyond the realm of our universe, but she is still with us every time we watch a Star Trek TOS episode or movie, we will not forget her.
She was a literal social Justice warrior. Not in the sarcastic way people use as a pejorative. No, she waged a civil rights war against discrimination just by being the person she was. Nichelle Nicholes was a great human. She will remain a civil rights icon for generations.
@suzygirl1843
2 жыл бұрын
People need to study her grace and how she got things done.
Definition of an Icon, a Legend. Rest in Peace Nichelle Nichols
A truly wonderful lady I had the pleasure to meet in England, so generous with her time, I told her she should be credited as the inventor of the 'Bluetooth Earpiece"!! RIP Nichelle
From the stars we came to the stars we return. Fair winds and smooth sailing where ever you may go.
@tsonofjohnson489
2 жыл бұрын
Could not have said it better! Til we meet again! RIP Ms. Nichols.
Great Tribute to one of Star Treks Great Actress and a Wonderful Woman R.I.P. Nichelle.
Thank you Trekyards for this tribute. I met Nichelle Nichols at Star Trek Las Vegas a few years ago. What a lovely lady she was.
Very sad day today but I am going to rejoice in the fact that I got to see this magnificent woman inspire generations of people to reach for the stars. Figuratively and literally. May she rest in Heavenly Peace. I believe it is safe to say she has earned the rank of Fleet Admiral. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Rest easy Nichelle Nichols and give Bones Spock and Scotty a salute for us.
Fine tribute... R.I.P. Ms. Nichols
Nichelle Nichols is an example of someone who left the world a far better place than she found it.
Ms. Nichelle Nichols, one of the best and one of the world's greatest, African American black iconic legends, in the Star Trek Universe.
Rest in Power dear Nichelle. Thank you for not giving up on human nature all those decades ago. Generations are better for it. 🖖😢 Live Long And Prosper in memory, and godspeed Commander Uhura.
Rest in Eternal Peace Ancestor! You gave us hope for the near future and your legacy will live in our Star Trek fans heart FOREVER!
She is a guiding star! Let's name a star out there after her!
@hartubmoses6645
2 жыл бұрын
Yes!
I had the privilege of meeting Nichelle at National Space Society conferences, and to meet her once was to meet a much loved friend. Of all the souls I have met on my travels hers was the warmest, the most human at its very best. If we can ever agree to build a habitat in space, please let it be Uhura.
Thanks Trekyards. And thank you, Ms. Nichols. You are irreplaceable. Rest in peace.
god bless her soul....she will always be remembered...Rest in peace, Nichelle Nichols....
That was a sweet Tribute guy's she will be missed. My favorite memory of her was just having the honor to meet her at a comic con. What a great woman.
@SeansModelBuilds
2 жыл бұрын
Mine too. I met her in 2017 at the Las Vegas one.
A lovely tribute to a truly lovely woman. RIP Ms. Nichelle. You will be missed and certainly never forgotten. 🖖🏽💖
Rip. Live long and prosper Nichelle Nichols. Thank you for leaving the world a better place for your contributions.
That scene in star trek III you used has easily always been one of my favorite scenes in ALL of Star Trek. Nichelle was so great.
One of the great ones. Will never be forgotten. Thank you Nichelle.
Farewell Nyota / Nichelle... you will always be a true shining star; a Legend, for your performances, your work and for you yourself, as a wonderful example of what a human can achieve. You have opened doors for others, to view the world, and beyond. Travel well into your own final frontier, Godspeed and love.
You'll always be remembered and loved by your family, friends and your many many fans. We will remembered for your beauty and the inspiration you given to countless young people for your work on Star Trek T.O.S and N.A.S.A. You're hailing the stars ✨ now, Uhura. R.I.P and thank you, Nichelle. 😔
Always ready with the salute. Talk about a true believer. She has been a staple in my life since the saturday morning syndicated reruns in the early 80s. An iconic influence. We lost a good human. Beautifully done guys. LL&P
RIP Mrs Nichole. You broke many glass ceilings and were a role model to all women. I liked watching you with my Mom. Now, boldly go where no woman has gone before………
RIP and may you have the journey amongst the stars Nichelle Nichols , our Uhura . .. LLAP .. and have a great chat with those before you
May she go boldy go where no Woman has gone before. Live Long and Prosper Nichelle Nichols
Thank you for honoring a great Woman.
RIP Nichelle Nichols a sad day for us all. 😢
What a great tribute to one of Starfleets finest. She will forever be remembered. RIP NICHELLE NICHOLS
Nichelle was an incredible actress and opened doors to reach for the stars.
😪❤️🖖🏾🙏🏾#RIPNichelleNichols Beautiful video Stuart & Co
Lovely tribute to such a beautiful lady. Hailing frequencies closed
Rest in peace Mrs. Nichols. A true Icon, and inspiration to the world. I salute a life well lived.
The galaxy won’t be the same without her!!😢😢😢😢
She's been my hero since I was 10 years old. What an inspiration she was and what a legacy she has left for us.
Godspeed Nichelle Nichols...I will cherish your memory always!
A real film trailblazer on & off camera recruiting young people to reach for stars to join #NASA #RIPNichelleNicols🙏🏼.
What a very nice tribute to Michelle Nichols.
I grew up In Palmdale Ca. And got a chance to meet and get Nichelle's autograph when the Trek cast was present when the Enterprise space shuttle was rolled out. Very warm and genuine lady! A class act for sure! Rest in peace Nichelle! :(
Rest Well LtCm... Boldly go on this new adventure, to the undiscovered country. You finally managed to catch the horizon and see what lays beyond. May your travels be blessed, and the adventures epic. We will see you as soon as our missions have concluded and we can all share our logs together, when and where friends will no longer be absent. Fair thee well, and clear Horizons Uhura.
beautiful absolutely beautiful, we lost another legend but our memories will go on never forget all she did in her life Nichelle thank you and captain in coming transmission. RIP Nichelle/ Nyota Uhura you will be missed. ❤
She even aged beautifully. That's a beautiful end sentiment causing moisture to leak from my eyes; "Hailing frequencies closed." Live long and prosper.
Amazing tribute to an amazing woman, rest in peace 🖖
RIP Nichelle Nichols, you lived long and prospered.
Damn that got me in the feels!!! Sleep well Beautiful Lady, you will be missed and remembered with Honour!!!
Awww all my love to her and all of star trek.
The shot of the empty chair. Very well done.
R.i.p nichelle Nichols gone but not forgotten may your star shine forever ✨️ 💖
Lovely tribute there, Nichelle Nichols opened the door for ALL black African American actors, no longer would they be typecast as servants, they could be seen to be in a Command structure in the Future, highly professional and intelligent. Nichelle 's star will shine past the 23rd Century and Beyond...
Rest In Peace Ms. Nichols 🙏🏼❤️😢 Thank You...For the impact and inspiration You've made and given Me in My life and the many lives You've touched!
the new "Uhura" has big shoes to fill! may she do so with the same grace and comportment as her predecessor! NICHELLE NICHOLS you will be missed, live long and prosper!
@Globalman43
2 жыл бұрын
I agree with you; Celia Rose Gooding definitely has big shoes to fill. RIP to Nichelle Nichols.
Excellent video bud. Wherever you've gone Nichelle live long and prosper 🖖
Today has been a true day of loss, i hope her family know she lived a full rich life, beloved of a community that sheds tears of sorrow with them. Receive her kindly oh lord, her path has been long, her journey taxing, may her seat be forever comfortable. Hail frequencies closed trekkies.
Gone but never forgotten R.I.P
Lovely tribute guys. Nichelle may you rest in peace among the brightest stars. You have been and forever will be .. a true star and a shining light of hope that we might live together, as one family and see brighter days of peace on our horizon.
Fourth star to the right and straight on till morning. You will forever be in the galaxy of your fans hearts.
Loved by all the fans, RIP beautiful Nichelle.
A fabulous and beautiful actress who inspired us all! Rest In Peace!
A fitting tribute to an incredible woman. RIP Nichelle, your legacy will always Live Long and Prosper🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖
Beautiful tribute! ❤
Rip ❤️❤️🌹🌹very intelligent and gorgeous woman 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
Spock ,Scotty and McCoy are There to welcome you Uhura . We're there will be no Drama ,Chaos or Tribulation.R .I P. Uhura From a 56 year old Trekkie that Loved all the series and Movies .Thank you For All The Out of This World Memories. Blessings to you always.
Thank you for honoring Nichols so beautifully.
She open up so many opportunities for people of color and for women. God bless her and may she rest in peace.
This was great, GREAT job She will be missed
Strange that I was thinking about Nichelle Nichols on Saturday I was thinking of watching Truck Turner which she gave an amazing performance.
A genuine person that will be greatly missed. She gave me an autographed photo. She will still be alive as she is in our memories. Very sad loss.
Great tribute. I remember speaking to her 20 years ago. She was kind. RIP.
Original and best, RIP.
WELL DONE QUEEN!! WELL DONE!!! A beautiful pioneer for young black people ...through SEVERAL decades . Thank you!!!
No words needed! The work of this wonderful woman speaks for its self. Though a snipet of her angelic voice would have been great!
I've only just heard that our darling beautiful Nichelle has gone. Infinity beckons. Other hailing frequencies open.
What a sweet tribute and amazing choice of music.
Thank you for all you’ve done. Rest In Peace. ♥️
Wonderful lady, wonderful actress and no doubt a wonderful mother, BOLDLY GO NICHELLE R. I. P. 💔🌹 🙏🙏🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸
Beautiful tribute to a great lady, she is a legend, many thanks for sharing it!
Beautiful
Actress, Dancer, Singer, and Communications officer on the show and the movies. An inspiration for so many people outside of show business. Loved by so many. Bless you Nichelle Nichols. And Rest In Peace. 💖
I only found out after seeing a tribute drawing on my tumblr dash. Nichols was not only an actress and civil rights icon, but also a skilled singer and a crucial role model of her period. I really loved the scenes where she sung, like in Charlie X (that one stuck with me) and Conscience Of The King.
@darthkurland
2 жыл бұрын
Good thing that those full recordings of her singing are available as part of the “Star Trek: The Original Series” soundtrack collection.
@ScientistCat
2 жыл бұрын
@@darthkurland you forgot to add, "This reply is sponsored by Paramount." Also, "Kurland here~" in the beginning.
She is loved and will be missed. Our world is a little less for the loss.
I loved this woman, she is one of the reasons I am into STEM, and she looked like my mother's twin...Rest In Power, you will be greatly missed!🦋🦋🦋🦋
A wonderful lady A true icon 👏 forever in our hearts and souls ♥ I find myself once again speechless over the loss of another of OUR bridge crew.
Rest in Peace beautiful Nichelle. 🙏🏼
You will always be the com officer star In Star trek RIP miss nicole
Thanks for the memories, Nichelle! You will be remembered
She used to do conventions and would talk directly to fans at smaller ones, and my friends and I got to chat with her on a dozen occasions! I last saw her in 2019 at comic con San Jose. I also included her in my 2021 fan film, Starship Locations Strange Worlds as the elder admiral who visits the Chimera A on route to the tribble planet, and sees off Captain Nog of the Emett Till. She was a legend and a great lady.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful lady
Wonderful tribute guys! Rest in Space, Lieutenant ❤️🙏🏼
Rest in Peace. Thank you FOREVER!