Spacewoman: The Story of NASA’s First Female Astronaut

Creating a new path is hard work. It’s so scary that many don’t even try. For the pioneers, the climb is always high, the barriers are high, the craters are big but the resistance is strong. But when, in the end, the goal is achieved, it becomes more rewarding. Not only because you have accomplished something, but also because you have created a new path for others to follow. There is no award above this feeling of success. Few take this tumultuous journey as hard as Eileen Collins, NASA’s first female pilot and astronaut.

His biography captivated me years ago, and this weekend, the movie Spacewoman brought his incredible story to life on the big screen. Directed by Hannah Berryman and produced by Natasha Dack Ojumu and Keith Haviland, this intimate and authentic film offers a raw and unfiltered look at what it takes—and the sacrifices it takes— to be the first.

Eileen Collins’ journey began in Elmira, New York, where she grew up in a family full of poverty and uncertainty. From a young age, he dreamed of flying as an escape from his difficult home life. Quietly and diligently, he worked for years to save money for flying lessons, doing whatever part-time work he could find while still a student. She cleaned the halls of her high school as a janitor and helped customers at a home improvement store. To him, no job was too mean, no effort too great. At the age of 19, after years of determination, he finally had enough money to begin his first flying lessons—a milestone that led to his walk on the high road.

US Air Force Accepts Female Pilots

When the US Air Force opened its doors to female pilots, Collins was one of the first in line, seizing an opportunity that had been out of reach for generations of women. The overt and covert discrimination and harassment she faced as one of the first women in a predominantly male environment did not discourage her. Instead, he stepped forward and continued.

NASA came calling

Her journey reached new heights when NASA chose her to be its first female pilot. Flying a ship was something only a select few could dream of, let alone achieve. However, Collins did not stop there. After her first two careers, she became NASA’s first astronaut — a huge achievement that inspired many women and girls to pursue careers in STEM. (Read my Forbes article about NASA’s first female commander of the International Space Station).

This article provides a detailed look at Collins’ life outside the cockpit. Home videos reveal that she runs to boat training after feeding and playing with her baby in the morning, and explains to her young daughter that she will be back in space, even after they lost friends recently in a terrible spaceship disaster. You can hear Collins struggling with the best words to talk to her child about these issues, giving the whole movie a depth you wouldn’t get from reading about Collins’ life.

Going to space after the Columbia disaster

Eileen Collins’ last fourth job came after the tragedy Columbia disaster. What should have been a routine mission turned out to be a disaster. With a mission-threatening mishap, Collins and his crew faced extreme maneuvers and brave terrain. His calm demeanor and positive leadership guided his team safely, cementing his legacy as a successful manager under pressure. These images underscore the film’s central message: Eileen Collins was more than just a good person it’s female manager; he was a great commander, period.

Spacewoman it doesn’t avoid the emotional and physical pain of being first.

Through discussions with his colleagues such as Dr. Cady Coleman and Dr. Charlie Camarda, along with members of the Collins family, the documentary captures the cost of trailblazing as they celebrate the glass cases that Collins broke time after time.

Eileen Collins’ story is one of courage, resilience, and incredible grace under fire. He exemplifies what it means to lead, endure adversity, and inspire others to dream big. Finally, Spacewoman it’s more than just a movie; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that with courage and hard work, no dream—no matter how far-fetched—is ever impossible.