Did you have big dreams growing up? Maybe you dreamt of sitting behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, curing disease, dancing on a big stage, or solving the world’s environmental issues. I dreamt of going to space. I was fascinated by that big unknown and wanted to float among the stars. As encouraging as my family was in other areas, my dreams of going to space was not one of them. I was told that I wasn’t interested enough because I didn’t read enough books about the subject. Rather than be encouraged, I was discouraged. When one of our subscribers shared a story about how she wanted to be an astronaut, but was discouraged in her dreams, I felt like I’d met a kindred spirit and knew her story needed to be told. And since we’re celebrating The Audacious Astronaut this month the timing is perfect!
Friends, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Lucy! While Lucy’s dreams of going to space weren’t supported in childhood, she’s made it her goal in adulthood to ensure other girls don’t experience the same discouragement.
GIRLS CAN! CRATE: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for work? What part of the US are you from?
Lucy: My name is Lucy, I live in Southern California. I’m a homeschool mom to Belen (5). I own 2 businesses that I run from home. I run a homeschool business where I create content such as a blog/printables and a homeschool community where I teach a class a week. I currently have 10 students enrolled and we have so much fun learning through themes! I’m also a certified herbalist and run a small online herbal mercantile selling everything from loose leaf teas to handmade soaps. I am also part of the Orange County Astronomers club, one of the biggest astronomy clubs in Southern California. Our club participates in public outreaches where we attend public and private school events, we bring our telescopes and we let the students and their families view our telescopes while we share what they are looking at. My club also hosts free meetings open to public at the Chapman University where amazing speakers come to lecture as well as free beginner astronomy classes and how to use your telescope classes.
GC!C: What did you want to be when you grew up?
L: I wanted to be an astronaut/astrophysicist.
GC!C: What about space interested you as a child?
L: Science was my favorite subject in school. My interest for space started when I learned how infinite our universe is. How tiny our planet is compared to the other planets in our universe. Looking up at the sky in the night was my favorite thing to do. Although I didn’t have much support from my family or access to a computer at home, I looked forward to my science classes at school where “astronomy” was the subject!
GC!C: What were your favorite subjects to study when you were younger? Why?
L: My favorite subjects were science and astronomy. Because it fed my curiosity and answered questions no one around me could answer! One of my favorite memories from high school is when our science teacher rolled in the to show us an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy on Friday’s! After the episode we would finish a worksheet to make sure we paid attention and I would always get 100%!
GC!C: What would you have wanted your job in space to have been?
L: My dream was always to work for NASA, specifically in the mission control center and eventually becoming a woman astronaut and visiting Mars!
GC!C: Were your dreams to be an astronaut encouraged? If so, how? If not, how were they discouraged?
L: No, definitely not. I was made fun of by my family, called a nerd amongst other things. I was told that wasn’t a “girl role”. It wasn’t a girl thing to do. I was directed to a more feminine career; teacher, nurse, doctor. It got to the point where I completely shut off my desire to learn more about space until I was able to make my own decisions.
GC!C: Since you didn’t become an astronaut, are you still interested in space?
L: Yes very much, even more so.
GC!C: How do you maintain your interest?
L: I maintain my interest by being an active lifetime member of my club Orange County Astronomers. I go to each public outreach I can possibly fit into my schedule. During these outreaches if I see a spark in a young girls eyes when she looks through my scope, or asks me more questions than the average student I try to encourage them to pursue their dreams even if it isn’t a “feminine role”.
GC!C: Tell us about your astronomy club. Who is it for? When do you meet? What do you do?
L: The Orange County Astronomers is a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to spread knowledge and appreciation of the science of astronomy. The club has been doing this for more than 40 years and has grown to over 800 members. We meet every second Friday evening of every month and these meetings are open to public for those who want to join. As a club we host astronomy classes, beginners classes, how to use your telescope, public outreaches at schools or events and we host parties for members only at our facility that has a 22-inch Cassegrain telescope and other facilities for members to enjoy a great night of viewing away from the city lights.
GC!C: Why do you think it’s important for girls to be involved in STEAM-related fields?
L: To break that gender gap that STEAM fields are for men only. To be role models for the next generations of girls who want to take part in these fields.
GC!C: How do you encourage your own daughter in STEM/STEAM?
L: I take her to all of my clubs meetings, she only misses the meetings that are too complicated for her to understand like astrophysics. She attends all of the public outreaches I do at schools and events and it encourages her so much to see other young kids inspired and awed by space. One of our favorite things to do as a family together every year is attend JPL’s open house and visit space museums every so often. We also love GIRLS CAN! CRATE boxes as well as Kiwi boxes.
GC!C: How did your unmet dream of going to space influence how you encourage your future world changer?
L: Tremendously! Right now my daughter is set to be a veterinarian she has the utmost care and adoration to animals. To push her desire I buy her toys like Veterinarian play kits and we watch tons of documentaries online. If her career choice changes I am here to support her whatever choice she makes!
GC!C: This month, we’re celebrating audacity. What does this mean to you? How have you exhibited audaciousness in your life? What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done? What’s the most adventurous thing you’d like to do?
L: Taking a rare turn! When I was little I loved being audacious, always wanting to take a different path then of my peers. Once I turned 18 and I could drive myself I would go alone to amazing astronomy events. One of the coolest most adventurous things was when I saw Stephen Hawking give a speech at Cal Poly in 2002. Another one really close to that is when I met Bill Nye in person in Los Angeles, Ca. The most adventurous thing I would like to do in the future is to go witness the northern lights.
GC!C: If we created a crate for you, what would it be called? (For example, The Audacious Astronaut, The Fearless Flier, The Bold Pirate, etc.)
L: The Valiant Astronaut
GC!C: If you could meet one fearless female world changer (living or dead), who would it be and why?
L: Christina Koch. I would ask her about astronaut training, how did it feel to be up against so many men and still be chosen to go to space!!
GC!C: Who inspired you as a child?
L: My grandma will always be one of my biggest inspirations. She came to the United States as an immigrant with 8 little children, seeking a better life and worked hard to give them everything she could. Throughout her life she fought many illnesses, even though she was suffering she would still remain strong, head high and push through. She would always tell me to have courage and to fight for what I want. She is truly a wonderful example of how strong women can be.
GC!C: Finish this sentence: Girls can…
L: CHANGE THE WORLD!
GC!C: What else would you like our community to know about you or your story?
L: All you need is just one person in your life that supports and will listen to your dreams to help you make that push. I luckily had my older brother who secretly would buy me astronomy books and take me to astronomy events. If you don’t have that one person for support you still have yourself and your desire! You are strong and you can do it!