@Nichelle Your point about Uhura not being there as a love interest for Kirk is so important. Uhura was an officer on the bridge of a Starfleet starship. She wasn't there to moon over Kirk, either. I loved when Uhura was in command of the Enterprise in the TAS episode, "The Lorelei Signal."
Yes! Uhura was an example for all young girls that they could be an important part of science fiction, without being primarily a love interest.
Your name is wonderful!