Watch Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek And The Remaking Of NASA

In the documentary movie "Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek And The Remaking Of NASA" from 2019, actress Nichelle Nichols, who played the iconic character of Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series, plays a central role. The movie is directed by Todd Thompson and features interviews with Nichelle Nichols herself, as well as colleagues from the Star Trek cast such as George Takei and Walter Koenig, as well as other notable figures from the fields of science, entertainment, and politics.

The movie tells the story of how Nichelle Nichols, who was not only an actress but also a singer and dancer, became an advocate for space exploration and recruitment of ethnically and culturally diverse astronauts for NASA. In the early 1970s, she was appointed to the position of the first female African-American recruiter for NASA.

As the movie illustrates, Nichelle Nichols' connection to NASA began with her role on "Star Trek". She was at the forefront of a groundbreaking ensemble cast that featured an interracial kiss between her character and Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner. Her character was a stark contrast to the dominant portrayal of women and people of color in television at the time, and the show's ethos of boldly going where no one had gone before inspired a generation of real-life scientists and explorers.

But it wasn't until 1977 that Nichols' connection with NASA really took off. She was invited to speak at a convention for the company's newly created office of women in space, where she talked about the importance of recruiting minorities and women to the space program. Her speech, she later learned, had a profound impact on a young man named Charles Bolden, who would go on to become the first African American to command a space shuttle mission, and later the administrator of NASA.

With Bolden's help, Nichols began a campaign to bring more minorities and women into the space program, and received encouragement from notable figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who told her she had a platform that she could use to change the world. The movie shows how Nichols traveled the country, speaking at colleges and conventions, and overcoming obstacles and challenges along the way. She also used her celebrity status to recruit famous faces like Sally Ride and Mae Jemison to NASA, helping the agency to become more diverse and inclusive.

"Woman In Motion" is a fascinating look at both the space program and the entertainment industry during a time of social upheaval in America. It offers insight into Nichelle Nichols' role as a spokesperson and advocate for both, and how her work paved the way for future generations of women and minority astronauts. The movie includes key historical moments, archival footage, and interviews with a variety of people who knew and worked with Nichols, making it an engaging and informative documentary. Overall, "Woman In Motion" is a must-watch for fans of Star Trek, NASA, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and popular culture.

Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek And The Remaking Of NASA is a 2021 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.7.