JPL Engineer to Speak at Girls Inc. Luncheon

Author and aerospace engineer Donna Shirley, who served as a manager on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Exploration program, will speak Wednesday at Girls Inc. of Orange County’s annual luncheon.

Before her recent retirement, Shirley amassed 30 years of experience in private and civil service. While at JPL in Pasadena, she led teams that worked on the Pathfinder’s Mars landing and the Sojourner rover’s exploration of the planet’s surface. Following the luncheon, she will sign her autobiography, “Managing Martians.”

During the luncheon, Girls Inc. directors and volunteers will review last year’s accomplishments, including the recent renovation of the main center on Costa Mesa’s west side.

Girls Inc. of Orange County was established in 1954 as the Girls Club of the Harbor Area. It’s affiliated with the 120-chapter national organization in New York.

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road. Tickets are $75 and reservations are required. Girls Inc. Director Shelley Westmore said that limited space remains.

Information: (949) 646-7181 or https://www. girlsinc-oc.org.