[Giovanna Clairval]

Originally Posted by The Ace

She may have a point Majel Barrat (Mrs Gene Rodenberry) won't be out of the running until she croaks, and I'm still wondering why.

I can think of two reasons.

1)Majel Barret was the computer's throaty voice in various ST instalments, a sort of traditional signature.

2)She was the First officer in the pilot of the Classic Trek.
The first cpt. Kirk was ditched. The role was given to William Shatner, because he was more physical and emotional than the first actor was.
She, Makel Barret, was promoted to the job of nurse because a poll made by the Studio came back with disagreement about a woman being the second in command on a ship, be it a spaceship. We are in the USA, 1966, when this happens; in Europe, women don't walk into pubs alone and don't smoke in the street). The women in the panel were vocal about this: "Who does she think she is?"

The above is common ST lore.

Giving Barret a role is a kind of tribute, imho.