Women of Science Fiction: Nichelle Nichols

Nichelle Nichols (c. 1932-2022) is an American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her iconic role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek television series. Renowned for breaking racial barriers onscreen in the 1960s, Nichelle became a cultural symbol of diversity and inclusion. Beyond her contributions to the entertainment industry, Nichelle worked with NASA to recruit diverse astronauts, leaving an indelible mark on both science fiction and reality.