Lotus Fleet Forums

As reported in New York's Daily News, last night, Saturday, July 30th, iconic actress Nichelle Nichols left us to join the stars of our universe.

Her son, Kyle Johnson posted to Instagram:

 “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away,” Kyle Johnson wrote on Instagram. “Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.” He signed it "Live long and prosper".

May her light and inspiration shine upon all aspiring actresses and diverse peoples, and that her courage live on in us all!

USS Enterprise, NCC-1701 Alpha shift (Angel) crew is almost complete. Rest in peace Nichelle.

Very sad.

I met her in Philadelphia decades ago and she was the sweetest, most kind hearted person you could imagine.

Her contribution to Star Trek and television was game changing. The number of young women she inspired was incredible.

She will be remembered and missed.

I think she was the first black person I ever saw on TV that I didn't think 'Look a black person in the show' as a 10yo kid.
She was just a member of the crew.

She was more than just an artist; she was devoted to the betterment of people to the point of working with NASA to send the first American woman and the first man of color in space, inspiring countless people of all definitions to strive for dreams and excellence.

As for her performance, you only have to look at all of those who tackled her role over the years to see how she stood head, shoulders and hips above them all.

When I was young seeing her on the show for the first time (I was 8 and didn't even understood English back then!), it didn't even register to me that she was a black woman officer; how significant, groundbreaking and long-reaching that was. To me, her presence there just made sense. It's only many years later that I understood what she truly contributed, not only to the show, but to society as a whole.

Now the heavens have one more star for us to look up to.

May we reach them, and her, someday, making true the dream she once portrayed for us.

Hailing frequencies open.

It is good to see those who speak of her memory remember the impact she had, not just on our beloved Star Trek, but society as a whole. She was a true civil rights icon.