The Story of Dr. Ellen Lauri Ochoa
Welcome back! This specific entry goes out to my mom, who dreamed of being an astronaut as a kid. If it weren’t for Sally Ride and Ellen Ochoa– who knows where she would have ended up. Here’s to Ellen Lauri Ochoa; the first hispanic woman in space!
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Ellen Lauri Ochoa was born on May 10, 1958 to Joseph and Rosanne Ochoa in La Mesa, California. (We love Taurus women.) Ellen grew up with four other siblings; she was stuck right in the middle. Her father’s childhood impacted her family greatly. His family immigrated to the United States from Mexico and he was the youngest of twelve children. He faced horrid discrimination as a young child and as a result became almost ashamed of his culture. This reflected on Ellen and her siblings. Her father wanted the family to assimilate to your typical American family. He never spoke Spanish with the children and there was no connection to their Mexican heritage.
Though neither of her parents had a college education, they heavily emphasized the importance of a well rounded education. While Ellen was a baby her mom took this message with her as she pursued getting a college degree. After 22 years, her mom was able to receive that degree and show her children that anything you put your mind to is possible. Yet another example of how strong mothers truly are; make sure you thank your mother today! Ellen carried this message with her throughout her whole life.
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Not only was she the top of her highschool class, but she also received an unbelievable scholarship to Stanford University. Sadly, at this time her parents had divorced and she selflessly decided to attend a university nearby so she could help her mother. Like most 18 year olds she had no idea what direction her life was going in. She considered music because she was extremely talented at playing flute, but she also wanted to dive into the world of STEM– despite being told it wasn’t “a woman’s field.” She received her bachelor’s in physics and then went back to Stanford to pursue an engineering fellowship. There she specialized in optics and even earned three patents. Now Dr. Ochoa could not stop there. She applied in both 1985 and 1987 to the NASA Training Program– rejected both times.
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In 1990 her application was finally accepted, she became one of 110 astronauts eligible for flight. Being an astronaut is not an easy task; believe it or not. After rigorous training they have to be selected for specific missions. She was selected four times.In 1993, 1994, 1999, and 2002; Dr. Ochoa worked with NASA and was in space working on several different projects. Though Ellen is no longer going in and out of space she is working to inspire the next generation of mujeres in STEM. She serves as director of Mission Control, a department in the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and in 2013 she became director of the entire Space Station. Outside of her amazing career she is a mother to two boys. She is the perfect example for women, like me and you, who are trying to make it in the world of STEM. I wanted to briefly add that this theme of assimilation is common, especially among immigrants in the United States. I know for me this “Melting Pot” of a country has never felt like I could share who I was completely. I resonate with her father. I think of my grandmother who had to deal with learning a new language and being forced to assimilate to a country she thought would be a place where she could be herself and pursue her dreams. Ellen saw that pain in her father and was able to inspire the next generation to embrace their true selves to the fullest.
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“Education is what allows you to stand out.”
