>>19826
They were only given that role as a way to fill the diversity quota that was demanded by the growing "Star Fleet is for EVERYONE!" movement, which also resulted in a large increase in the number of non-human species in Star Fleet. The redesign of the uniform was actually the cover for removing the miniskirts and regulation cute female hair cuts that dominated TOS. These dress regs were deemed to be super-offensive acts of sartorial violence that were responsible for the indefensible actions of one James T. Kirk.
Following a very successful campaign relying on the slogan 'to boldly spread rape culture where no one has spread rape culture before' all kinds of new diversity requirements and protection lectures were included in the curriculum of Star Fleet Academy, which explains how we went from Kirk to Picard (and how someone like Janeway ended up in the Captains chair).