I've been in NYC for 10 days.
A few years ago I thought it would be cool for NASA to be part of the World Science Festival in NYC. It's a week-long science program with science superstars with events all over the city, ending in a science street fair. I filled out their online form and within a day, a producer was thanking me, thrilled she had an route to NASA! It was hard work but NASA has now attended the last 2 years and I have been able to bring my family both times- all as I had hoped. It's always been a fun time- hitting the highlights of NYC while meeting other scientists. This year, also Ellen Stofan was invited to do NPR's The Moth (a 12 min story telling, inspirational podcast) and a Pioneers event with students, and I was asked to be on a
Women in Science panel that included cocktails and was moderated by Tracy Day, creator of the festival itself. I had fantastic learning time with Ellen at her events. Even got to meet Alan Alda at a party after The Moth but I left early and just missed Bill Nye!
And then Paul, Anna, and mom came in for my events. I was so proud Anna was able to be in the front row during my panel, and there to meet many women scientists who do all sorts of things. Dean Falk asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said a scientist and a cook because cooks need to know science! She wore a dress with stars, and matched an astrophysicist wearing her galaxy dress and got applause during the panel. She almost fell asleep :) as she had been up since 3am to get on the plane here! After the panel, people grabbed me for so many questions, and Anna among them. She for some reason was full of science questions. I guess it's catchy :) It was very special to have her there!!!
The street fair was hard work but fun! Anna got to do an electric experiment which she loved- not my area of expertise but ok! And I spent time with friends/co-workers I hadn't seen from Jsc in months. They were also making the most of the city!
Nicole Stott (astronaut) had done the Nick Mom TV show with me a few years back and was now finally meeting Anna :) It was also her last day at NASA (retiring). So good to say goodbye.
Mom and Anna rushed over to see Neverland on Broadway (they raved about it!!!) and Paul and I got to see They Might Be Giants in their hometown of Brooklyn! Dream come true and fantastic timing! Anna wanted to go but there were age restrictions so we will be back for a kids show in late June. We were This Close to the stage, and no kidding they sang right to me several times! :) Loved them since high school and it was so surreal! Neither of us could believe we'd just done that!
It rained the next day so our plans for Anna to play in Central Park were foiled! We went to Macy's on Herald Square and Ripley's in Time Square.
It was another quick trip for them, and at one point, for the first time since this DC rotation started, Anna got so sad that she missed me so much, she broke down right in a restaurant out of nowhere. I love her so much and she's so tough that I take it for granted how easy it's been on her- I suspect other children wouldn't have such a seemingly easy time with their mom living in another city. I know it could be much harder. We are all doing our best. I told her it was ok to be sad and ok to cry when you need to- just the week before I had called daddy crying because I missed her so much too. It didn't last long, we had lots of hugs and she snapped out of it within a few minutes and kept moving on. But I got the picture. I think it was a mix of adventure, exhaustion, over stimulation, and knowing she was leaving the next day all rolled into a moment of downtime. The perfect cocktail.
After they left, it was back to work! The rest of the week I spent with colleagues talking to researchers at various lab companies, NYC Civic Hall, and City Hall about getting their research into space. During the week I also got a few interesting job offers via emails and texts from various places at NASA. All kinds of weirdness rolled into one week, in several ways. I have made new friends, new connections. I've had new challenges and adventures, and I've eaten new food with new added pounds :)
The week ended with something completely unexpected: being announced, Dr. Tara Ruttley, right on the field in Yankee Stadium as astronaut Joe Acaba threw out the first pitch. I even shook the hand of Joe G (former player and now manager). This is equivalent to being at a shuttle launch for baseball fans (I'm not much of a fan but I can appreciate the fact that this is the world's baseball team and I'm a scientist being recognized along side an astronaut). We then had suite seats and I have an interview. I met the head of Yankees marketing, who told me her story of how she used to be a teacher, then joined Yankees as an admin in the marketing group until George Steinbrenner in 1985 said they needed to hire a woman in marketing (it was all men). She was the token woman! Loved her, and we talked about future opportunities together.
To be clear, this opportunity was the result of three women colleagues this week who worked hard to get me on that field to show the world what a woman in science looks like. I didn't have the guts to advocate for myself, but they did, and now I've learned better. Without their pushing, NASA would have been represented by all males last night. I'd have missed an interview where I emphasized girls in science, connecting with other women there, creating future opportunities, spending time with a fantastic colleague I hadn't before had time to know, and being down on that field! I failed big but my lesson is learned and on Monday I'll be making phone calls to "They" who need to ensure the scientist doesn't ever get overlooked again.
But my favorite part of the night: when we were among the fans, I got recognized by an older gentleman and his friends. He yells, "hey! Why didn't they let the GIRL throw out the first pitch?" I replied well I haven't flown in space :) He says, "Equal pay for equal pay!"
He had no idea about how nicely he'd summed it up.
Train back to DC this morning!
