50 fearless, confident, all around badass women on television
By Sundi Rose
Photo: YouTube
Nyota Uhura – Star Trek
To say that Lieutenant Nyota Uhura was a trailblazer is probably the understatement of the galaxies. The original Star Trek may have been set in the 23rd century and taken place all over the far reaches of multiple universes, but it aired firmly in the American 1960s. The latter setting, be assured, was a far less forgiving and open-minded place, so the fact that a black woman was a boss of anything at all was downright exceptional.
Lt. Uhura wasn’t just any ol’ black woman, who faded into the background as an extra. She played an active role in the action of the show and became invaluable to the success of so many missions. In fact, she saved the Enterprise all kinds of trouble and struggle. This woman, a mathematical genius, was promoting STEM for women before that was even a thing.
Uhura was also a love interest for Captain Kirk. They shared the first interracial kiss on American television, shocking audiences and cementing the show’s legacy in the pop culture canon. Even though the actors had to follow some pretty strict guidelines to satisfy censors and appease racist audiences.
Uhura remains to be one of the most fearless and important characters in the representation of women of color on television. Breaking barriers of race, gender and intellectualism, Uhura is a badass on a whole new level.