Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood when she played communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek television series passed away Saturday at the age of 89.

Nichols broke stereotypes that had limited Black women to acting roles as servants and included an interracial onscreen kiss with co-star William Shatner that was unheard of at the time.

Trailblazers are often acknowledged and inspired by other trailblazers and influential people.

In a 2008 interview, Nichols told The Tulsa (Okla.) that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had commented after she told him she was leaving the show after the second season, "You cannot do that."

King went on to say "You've changed the face of television forever, and therefore, you've changed the minds of people."

 Many trekkies use the famous saying "live long and prosper", a famous phrase Dr. Spoke used to say, when they are saying goodbye to each other.

It is only fitting that we say, "live long and prosper" Nichelle Nichols.