Page 5 - Black History Month 2022 - Combined Special Edition of Aerotech News and Review — Nellis AFB - Creech AFB Desert Lightning News

COLEMAN, from 4
was to do a parachute jump. She was in the back Tracy Taylor, Secretary to the Associate
up for a trial flight to check the area where she

seat and Wills was piloting. She didn’t have her
seatbelt on, as she wanted to be able to look out Center Director for Mission Support
over the edge of the cockpit to see the surround-
ing area clearly and choose the best landing area double major in finance & accounting.
for her jump. by Laura Peterson Do you have any advice for others like yourself who may be contem-
For some unknown reason, Wills must have NASA Armstrong plating a career at NASA.
lost control of the airplane and it nosed over in a Tell us briefly about your work for NASA and when you first knew My advice for anyone who wishes to pursue a career with NASA is
dive, flipped over, throwing Coleman out of the you wanted to join the agency.
aircraft. Moments later Wills crashed and both I work at NASA as a secretary, currently working for Associate Cen- to be passionate, motivated, and dedicated to our mission.
were killed. ter Director for Mission Support Sean McMorrow, and I also assist the
It was a tragic ending to the career of a de- Center Director’s Office. NASA struck my interest while I was work-
termined, intelligent and beautiful young Black ing at the 416th Flight Test Squadron. I witnessed the Endeavor Space
woman. Through the years, after her death, she Shuttle being towed past my window as it was departing Edwards to
achieved the recognition deserved for her contri- begin its final mission as a museum exhibit.
butions to the early days of women in aviation. How has your job shifted due to the global pandemic?
The only shift in my job is working from home, but my responsi-
bilities remain the same. Although, I do miss the interaction with my
co-workers!
Have you overcome any challenges to get where you are?
During the application process, the actual interview, and waiting to
hear back from NASA, but I believe one of my biggest challenges to
overcome was gaining self-confidence and knowing I would be the one
selected for the position.
Share with us any role models who inspired you.
Oprah Winfrey is someone who I consider to be one of my role
models. She overcame a rough childhood but that didn’t stop her from
achieving her goals, along with helping and inspiring others along the
way.
Share with us a quote that resonates with you.
“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
Explain briefly the importance of education in your upbringing.
Due to the lack of furthering my education in my upbringing, it
taught me to encourage my three daughters that education is important
and should be taken seriously. With that being said, I now have two
Air Force veterans attending college, and a Tuskegee graduate with a

Happy Black History Month!

Thank you for continuing a legacy of

innovation and ingenuity in our community.

@SupervisorBarger

@KathrynBarger

@SupervisorKathrynBarger

KathrynBarger.LACounty.gov

January 28, 2022 Aerotech News and Review 5
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