Welcome to our 6th #aroundtheworld! Today, we will be discussing 5 African American female astronauts that have revolutionized the field of astronomy. Enjoy our article on Stephanie Wilson, Jeanette Epps, Joan Higginbotham, Yvonne Darlene Cagle, and Jessica Watkins!
Stephanie Wilson
Stephanie Wilson is an engineer and astronaut. She received her Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. She participated in three spaceflights, and is the second African American female to go to space after Mae Jemison. Her three missions logged her about 42 days in space, which is the most for any African American. Wilson has been both the Integration Branch Chief and the Acting Chief of Program and Project Integration in the Spaceflight Systems Directorate at NASA. In addition, she has been awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Salem Trailblazer Award.
Jeanette Epps
Jeanette Epps is an astronaut and aerospace engineer who is assigned to participate in her first mission which will begin in 2021. She completed her masters degree in science and her doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. Epps was the second female to participate in CAVES, a challenging training program. In addition, she is a frequent speaker at the University of Maryland for engineering events and other programs. Joining the mission with Boeing made her the first African American female to join a mission with an international space crew. This mission will also make Epps the first African American female to live and work in space for an extended amount of time.
Joan Higginbotham
Joan Higginbotham is a former NASA astronaut. She earned her masters in Space Science from Florida Institute of Technology. She served as the Executive Staff Assistant to the Director of Shuttle Operations and Management and was the leader of a team of engineers. Her mission in 2006, STS-116, logged her 308 hours in space. The crew collected almost two tons of supplies that were no longer needed in the space station, and brought the supplies to Earth. The several awards she has earned include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and the Outstanding Woman of the Year award.
Yvonne Darlene Cagle
Yvonne Darlene Cagle M.D is a former astronaut and was born in West Point, NY. She grew up in Novato, California and enjoyed hiking, music, and writing. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and her doctorate from University of Washington. In May 1989, Cagle served as the Air Force Liaison Officer to test the Magellan spacecraft and also was a member of NASA Working Group. Cagle currently works at Fordham University as a visiting professor.
Jessica Watkins
Jessica Watkins is a NASA astronaut, geologist and aquanaut. She was born on May 14th, 1988 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her family later moved to Lafayette, Colorado where she graduated from Fairview High School. She also earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a Ph.D from the University of California. She first volunteered at NASA during her sophomore year of college which got her interested in space travel. She was later selected in 2017 to undergo a two year training to be a part of NASA Astronaut Group 22. She has won numerous awards such as the UCLA Department of Earth and Space Sciences Harold and Mayla Sullwold Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Outstanding Original Research and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in Geosciences.
What inspired you most about these women's lives? Comment below!