Nebraska Space Grant Leads Special Event w/ Astronaut Eileen Collins

Students, faculty and community members gathered Thursday at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Omaha for two public screenings of “Spacewoman,” a documentary chronicling the career of astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft.

Organized by the NASA Nebraska Space Grant, the event featured both a midday and evening screening during the film’s national release week, offering attendees an opportunity to engage with Collins’ story and its broader impact.

The screenings aimed to connect Collins’ achievements in aerospace with students’ academic and career goals, emphasizing how perseverance and access to opportunity can shape paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Following the screenings, Collins spoke directly to students about her journey and the challenges she faced throughout her career. She emphasized resilience and the importance of pushing forward despite obstacles.

“You don’t have to come from a privileged background or have the perfect life to achieve your dream,” Collins said. “Sometimes the adversity you go through teaches you the skills you need to succeed.”

Read the full article on: unothegateway.com

Author Credit: Mo Al-Ebadi

Image Credit: NASA | Nevada Today

Original Post Date: 3.28.26