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We talk about Star Trek The Original Series this week, with a deep discussion about some of the women characters from the original series cast, and the essays written about them for the Women Take the Conn anthology.
Tim Callender and Jill Heller join Summer this week to talk with authors Patricia A. Jackson and Stephanie Gerk about the essays they wrote for this collection, why those women impacted their journeys as science fiction fans, and more
Patricia wrote about Lt. Nyota Uhura, and she talks about how seeing a Black woman on television — one in a position of authority and commanding respect from both her crewmates and representing Earth as the voice of Captain Kirk in all encounters in space — changed so much for her and how she approached science fiction, fandom, and society.
Stephanie wrote about Marla McGivers, the historian who would go on to be Khan Noonien Singh’s wife, and the unknowing catalyst for the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Stephanie explains why she connected to Marla’s passion for the historical import of Khan and what he represented to her, and more.
We have a long & winding discussion about those Star Trek Women and more, just barely touching on several of the different ways Star Trek impacted the world we know, in pop culture and societal influences, and beyond.
Link: Star Trek’s Uhura Reflects On MLK Encounter (NPR: Jan 17, 2011)
Patricia A. Jackson: bybirthright.com, @treistan (Twitter/X), @bybirthright (IG)
Stephanie Gerk: stephaniegerk.com, @stephgerk (Twitter/X), @stephgerk (IG), The Weekly Debrief podcast
Star Trek (1966–1969) boldly went where no television series had ever gone before, advancing the story of women at a crucial time in history, and placing female characters at the forefront of the USS Enterprise’s missions. In so doing, the show told the tales of a vast galaxy of women in infinite diversity and infinite combinations…
In Women Take the Conn, editors Summer Brooks and Rich Handley have assembled an all-female crew of writers to examine and illuminate the groundbreaking women of the final frontier in thoughtful, thought-provoking, and thoroughly engaging essays. They’re all here, from Starfleet’s finest—Uhura, Chapel, Saavik, and Ilia—to the brave and bold Miramanee, Edith Keeler, Zarabeth, Carol Marcus, and many more…to the edge of the galaxy and beyond.
Women Take the Conn: An Unauthorized Star Trek Essay Collection by Women Writers edited by Summer Brooks and Rich Handley, Foreword by Jacqueline Lichtenberg
Publisher: Becky Books (March 27, 2024)
Paperback: 260 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8884566224
What examinations of “Star Trek” characters and series would you want more of? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or leave a message in the comments below!
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