I like that the movies made her comms officer (eventually) on the Excelsior. Sulu seems like a better captain to serve under than James "why did Starfleet assign me a female yoman" Kirk. What the hell kind of shit is that in the 23rd century?
Probably to highlight exactly that tension on television, which at the time was shocking to people - hence the audience could sympathize, while learning that "hey, women can do this job too... oh yeah, they really can!?đź’ˇ"