Nichelle Nichols documentary Woman in Motion will hit theaters nationwide in February for Fathom Events Celebrates Black History Month

Nichelle Nichols in Woman in Motion

JANUARY 13, 2021 - The long-awaited documentary Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA is coming to theatres. According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, Woman in Motion will be making its theatrical debut in February as part of the Fathom Events Celebrates Black History Month film series.

The film is centered on the work of Nichelle Nichols, who founded the organization Women in Motion and spearheaded a campaign to encourage women and people of color to apply to NASA. According to the film’s synopsis, “In 1977, with just four months left, NASA struggles to recruit scientists, engineers and astronauts for their new Space Shuttle Program. That is when Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura, challenges them by asking the question: Where are my people? She embarks on a national blitz, recruiting 8,000 of the nation’s best and brightest, including the trailblazing astronauts who became the first African American, Asian and Latino men and women to fly in space.”

The Sentinel noted some of the citizens who became astronauts through this program, including Sally Ride (the first American female astronaut), Fred Gregory (the first African American to command a space shuttle), and Ron McNair, who was the second African American to go into space and sadly passed away during the Challenger shuttle accident.

“This is a great American story with incredible global impact,” said director Todd Thompson, adding, “Nichelle Nichols helped create the brighter future we are living in today by proclaiming that space exploration is for everyone. It’s a simple but very strong statement that opens doors and allows all humankind to boldly go!”

Woman in Motion will be in select theaters for two days only, February 2nd and 4th. Tickets are available for pre-order now at fathomevents.com. Of course, if you do choose to attend this, or any films in your local theatre, please take care to follow social distancing and other health guidelines, and consult your theater’s website before attending. Alternately, keep listening here and we’ll let you know when the documentary will be available on demand.