Thank you Majel Roddenberry

Posted by JCE

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I realize this memorial is a little past due, but we lost one of my cherished heroines December 18. Majel Barrett Roddenberry passed away from leukemia this month and she will be missed.

The world of science fiction was my first introduction to women being treated as equals and it strikes me as almost funny that we recently had an election where a woman obtaining a position of power in this country was viewed as historic. Science fiction never held this as a novelty - it is one of the few places where the issue had long since been laid to rest, as it should be. It served as an example to me that it was perfectly normal to be equally as intelligent as men and in some instances more intelligent. There was no need to sacrifice ones self for the benefit of the male ego and the women of science fiction became my heroines.

Tonight I watched an old episode (Lessons) from Star Trek: The Next Generation and it drove this point home for me. Captain Picard and Commander Darren had developed an interest in one another. Toward the end of the show it became evident that something would need to change regarding careers if their relationship were to continue. Captain Picard made an offhand comment that she could give up her post and stay with him. She countered, a bit wryly, that he too could give up his post and stay with her. In the end they decided to put their careers ahead of the relationship and went their separate ways. I have always appreciated the fact that the writers did not diminish the importance of her career or her sense of self-worth in order to make a "fairy tale" ending. In the real world that is simply how it works out sometimes and women have equal responsibilities of men. They do not need to uproot themselves for a love interest. This is not to say that developing relationships is not important but it is no longer the holy grail for women.

Mrs. Roddenberry was a huge part of Gene Roddenberry's life outside of her being his wife and I have always respected the fact that he featured her in his work and the way he chose to portray women. I do not know how much influence Mrs. Roddenberry had in this but I suspect they worked pretty much as the teams we see on the screen.

Thank you Majel - you are my hero.

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