Space Day Focuses on Women in Aviation

The Space Day push for education in aviation, space and the sciences featured a “Women with the Right Stuff” program at the Fallbrook Mall on Thursday.

The program, sponsored by Lockheed Martin Corp., included a tour of a hands-on museum called the Space Plex for some Pacoima youths.

About 100 students from Maclay Middle School in Pacoima climbed inside replicas of the Apollo capsule command module and mission control area to get a firsthand look at what astronauts experience during space travel.

A panel discussion highlighted women in aviation.

“We’re doing this to give school kids a sense of aviation history and to make them aware of the contributions made by women in aviation and aerospace,” said Ivor Dawson, a spokesman for Space Plex.

The panel included Katrina Mumaw, who at the age of 11 was the youngest person to break the sound barrier, Katherine Cheung, a former stunt pilot and member of Amelia Earhart’s original flying group the Ninety Nines, Ceci Stratford, a pilot and certified flight instructor, Gail Rymer, a spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin, and Ruth Mutty, vice president of Experimental Aircraft Assn. of the San Fernando Valley.

Moderating the question-and-answer session was Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series.

“It was exciting to see those young faces brighten up as the women shared their experiences,” said Nichols, who herself received some queries about her role in “Star Trek.”