The daughter of a working-class Illinois family, she first honed her craft as an actress and singer in Chicago before touring the country and the world performing with the likes of Duke Ellington and bringing the words of James Baldwin to life. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, she broke stereotypes to become the first black woman to play a major role in a television show with her groundbreaking portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek. With defining dignity and authority, he helped tell a central story that redefined scientific pursuits and discoveries. And he continued that legacy by continuing to work with NASA to empower generations of Americans from all backgrounds to reach for the stars and beyond. Our nation is forever indebted to inspiring artists like Nichelle Nichols, who show us a future where unity, dignity and respect are the cornerstones of every society.
