Women at NASA

Women@NASA: Research Project Starts as Temporary Income, Turns Into Career

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

I began my first NASA research project only a year after I started studying mechanical engineering. I was in my mid-twenties and an “older” college student. I had studied musical theatre and education after high school, but I kept dropping out of college and going to work. I worked a waitress for a few years, and then as a veterinary technician for another few years. I also rented rooms and booked tours at the Grand Canyon and managed a gas station. Keep reading →

 /  Published October 2, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Local Reflects on Katrina’s Impact on Stennis Space Center

By

This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

In 1995, after spending my entire life in the suburbs of New Orleans, La., we decided to move out of the city, settling 25 miles north of Stennis Space Center. At that time, I was a Special Projects Coordinator at an abstract firm which served law firms and real estate professionals in the New Orleans area. After commuting for a few years, it was time to find something closer to home, which is how I ended up at NASA as a Legal Technician in the Office of Chief Counsel. I have proudly been part of the NASA family since December 1998. I love it when someone asked where I work and when I say “NASA, more often than not they smile and say “Wow, that’s awesome.” Their expression reminds me of how privileged I am. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 18, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Procurement Manager Builds Career Focused On People, Relationships

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

As a child, I really did not think about or plan my life toward any particular career. We lived in Nashville, Tenn., and I was the oldest of five children. After my parents divorced, we moved to Huntsville. My mother would often work 16-hour days to take care of us. Being the oldest meant I was responsible for tending to my brothers and sisters while she was working. Unfortunately, this was not an easy task because they saw me as their equal and not someone with any authority. In spite of that, I believe being placed in this role at an early age taught me some lessons in responsibility. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 11, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Volunteer Dedicated To Hispanic Community, Diversity and Awareness

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

In my capacity as a NASA employee and a Huntsville, Ala., community volunteer, I have dedicated myself to the Hispanic community. This motivation springs from my own heritage – devotion to family, history and culture – and from my professional NASA values, which include cultural diversity and awareness. It’s my passion to help Hispanic people in the state of Alabama and around the world; I feels it is most important to help open doors for children and young people, to let them see the opportunities they have to continue their education and develop rewarding careers and fulfilling lives. I believe we should start training and developing the minds of these students to their full potential at an early age, because all children, regardless of their race, deserve the opportunity to succeed. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 4, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Mother of Three Goes From Waitressing to Graduating College with Honors, Dream Job

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

“I’m a 35-year-old mother of three in my third marriage, working as a waitress, and have let life around me “just happen”. I exist in a reactionary state of mind.” That was me 11 years ago when I decided it was time to take control of my life, become proactive and make choices to live my life. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 28, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Childhood Stories Lead to Research Career

By

This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

When I was growing up, my father owned a service station, and my mother was an accountant. Because they both worked, I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with my grandparents when I was growing up. I loved when my Grandmother would bring out her picture albums and tell me wonderful stories about her brother, Floyd Kelso – a barnstormer. He and his wing walker, Auggie Peddlar, performed aerobatic stunts for audiences along the West Coast. There are pictures of Auggie, in-flight, hanging from struts, running across wings and other classic barnstormer images. My father also had colorful tales to tell about his own experiences flying Aeroncas and Ercoupes: He would glide over the Alviso Slew, and restart his engine over the hunters, flushing the ducks, but ruining the hunting. I loved the adventure, humor and passion about aircraft in these tales. Thus, when my high school biology teacher offered me an opportunity as an aeronautics intern at NASA Ames Research Center, I jumped at it. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 21, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Aspiring Judge Turns Into ‘Rising Star’ Engineer

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

I wish that I could say that I knew early on in life that I wanted to become a scientist or engineer. That would not be the true. My career goals changed a lot when I was growing up. During high school, I thought I wanted to become a Supreme Court judge. Then one day my father suggested that I pursue a career in engineering; and, because my father was the most intelligent person in the world, I did just what he suggested. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 14, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Mentor Inspires Next Generation of Female Scientists

By

This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

Growing up in India, newly liberated from British rule, and at a time when there were few women scientist role models, I still dreamed of being one. When the Russians launched Sputnik and my grandmother gathered the whole family early one morning to see the satellite pass overhead, I wanted nothing more than to explore space. When NASA landed a man on the moon, I promised myself that one day I would work for NASA. Encouraged by my mother and teachers, I strongly believed that if I worked hard I would achieve my goals of going to Oxford University in England and working for NASA in America. I doggedly pursued my dreams and won a scholarship to Oxford University and received my doctorate in Physics in 1976. Joining NASA took a little longer. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 7, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Philippines Native Works On Team Developing Lightweight Materials for Space Travel

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

Becoming part of the NASA family was a happy accident. I was born in the Philippines and grew up there. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the Ateneo de Manila University, a liberal arts Jesuit university. Coming to the United States for graduate studies was as far as I dreamed about, coming out of college. I went to Virginia Tech for my masters degree in chemistry. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 31, 2012 at 7:00 AM

Women@NASA: Reaching A Younger Generation

By


This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.

One of my greatest accomplishments that I am most proud of is developing a web development training module to expose the younger generation to website programming. Since 1999, I have taught web development classes to hundreds of elementary and middle school students in two of NASA Goddard’s education outreach programs, SISTER (Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering and Research) and SUNBEAMS (Students United with NASA Becoming Enthusiastic About Math and Science). During these training sessions, students are provided with hands-on experience in developing a web page while learning basic hypertext mark-up language programming concepts. Each year the excitement and passion is rekindled as I continue to teach this class and share the skills that I am obtaining with the younger generation. In the future, I hope to build on this experience and develop new educational opportunities to share what I have learned with others. Sharing my knowledge and experience with the younger generation has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work career. Keep reading →

 /  Published July 24, 2012 at 7:00 AM
Page 1 of 212