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Aplauda by Idalia Rosa-MartinezThree, two, one, blast off with Debbie Martinez! Five-time applicant to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut Program waits for the day she can shout these words from within the cabin of the space shuttle. Girls with Wings role model, Debbie Martinez, wants to encourage everyone, but especially young girls, to dream big! “Reach for the moon and you’ll catch a star,” Ms. Martinez said. ¡Aplauda! caught an earthly moment with this Latina (puertorriqueña) who desires to spread the news that education opened doors of opportunity for her and can do it for all. Hampton Roads neighborhood you live in now. How long? My family has lived between the Yorktown/Hampton Roads areas for eighteen years. Current Professional? I am Deputy Manager for the Orion Flight Test Article (FTA) project at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/ Personal mentor that influenced your life choices? Why? My mom! Mom showed me the value of school and education, value of a dollar, good works, and understanding that nothing is given to you. Mom was an entrepreneur at heart. Though a widow, she supported us as a pet shop owner in the Bronx, New York. She later stood on her own as a seamstress in Puerto Rico. Her thing was education, “I don’t care what you study but you study,” she’d tell me. Mom wanted me to be a doctor. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I knew I would go to college. In my first year of college, I researched what engineers did and fell in love with the field. How do you see yourself giving back to the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads? As the NASA Langley Hispanic Advisory Committee Chair, I’ve been the editor of the HEP@NASA LaRC e-newsletters for twelve years. Minorities need to know that there are opportunities in NASA. I also recruit in the community, and am part of a NASA LaRC speaker’s bureau to increase Hispanic participation in engineering. I speak at many local schools and professional facilities. I researched and compiled a list of Latina Astronauts for many young girls to see and say, “Yes, I can do that!” This type of information wasn’t available when I was looking for direction in the field. Organization affiliations in Hampton Roads? I am a founding member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Southeast Virginia (SHPE-SEVA) chapter, founded in 2004. Please take some time to look at the links listed in this interview so you could learn more about my community involvement. How well do you think the United States in general, but Hampton Roads in particular, have done in creating opportunities and accommodating Spanish-speaking people? More opportunities exist today than when I first arrived to the area. I recently spoke at a Hispanic College Fund event at the University of Richmond, Virginia called Hispanic Heroes. A lot of organizations tend to contact me around the National Hispanic Heritage Celebration Month (September 15–October 15) but I would like to see the efforts all year round. I’ve seen changes in eighteen years. What influence do you think the Hispanic population has had on the Hampton Roads community? Hispanics in Hampton Roads have encouraged:
Words of wisdom for the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads.
Of what life achievements are you most proud? My 3 kids are my pride and joy. They’re pretty proud of their mom too and are my motivation for all I do. Next time you watch a NASA space shuttle take off check for the name Debbie Martinez among the crew. Remember you read about her here on Saborhr. To read more about this Latina headed for the stars:girlswithwings.com/Debbie.html and latinawomen.nasa.gov/hep/dmart ¡Aplauda! IRM |
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