2023 Gala Honoree – Lourie DeBoer
Lourie A. DeBoer A native of Sacramento, California, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Lourie DeBoer graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Elizabeth Somerville
CAPT Elizabeth M. Somerville Captain Elizabeth Somerville attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and receiving her […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Sarah Abbott
CDR Sarah E. Abbott Commander Sarah “Killface” Abbott is a 2003 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics). Following commissioning, she attended Stanford […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Erin Miller
Erin Miller Erin Miller is the proud granddaughter of Elaine Danforth Harmon, a Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) member during WWII. Her grandmother’s last request was to be laid to […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa Ellen Ochoa’s 30-year career at NASA culminated in serving as Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center from 2013 to 2018, leading the human space flight enterprise for the […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Vicky Benzing
Vicky Benzing Vicky Benzing’s love for flying began as a child in Watsonville when she flew with her uncle in his plane. She discovered a passion for skydiving in college […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Tammie Jo Shults
Known for being one of the first female fighter pilots to serve in the United States Navy, following active duty she became a pilot for Southwest Airlines. She retired […]
2023 Gala Honoree – Eileen M. Collins
Eileen M. Collins is a former astronaut and a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. She retired from the Air Force in Jan 2005 and from Nasa in May 2006 after […]
Rhea Seddon
In February 2020, the Palm Springs Air Museum honored Rhea Seddon for her outstanding achievements in space as a NASA Mission Specialist. Her portrait was added to the Museum’s “Wall […]
Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran
Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was born into poverty in the Florida Panhandle. At a young age, she became determined to make something of herself and to do great things and that […]
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman’s short life was one of determination and excellence. Her influence stretched way beyond what she could have imagined, inspiring young black children to strive to become whatever they […]
