This Wednesday, May 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the Adler Planetarium, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will salute Chicago native and accomplished NASA astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham by declaring Wednesday, May 23 “Joan E. Higginbotham Day” throughout the Land of Lincoln. “Joan Higginbotham is a testament to the great success young people can have when they pursue their dreams with diligence, energy, and focus,” said Quinn. “We salute Ms. Higginbotham for the great example she has set for the people of Illinois. She has made us proud.”
Joan E. Higginbotham, born in Chicago, was determined to have a career in space exploration. In 1996 she was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA. Last December, Higginbotham made history as the third African-American woman in space when she completed her first mission with the crew of the STS –116 Discovery. To date, Higginbotham has logged more than 300 hours in space and participated in 53 space shuttle launches.
Higginbotham has been the recipient of numerous awards including: NASA Exceptional Service Medal; Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs Certificate of Appreciation for Service; Commendation of Merit for Service to the Department of Defense Missions; Presidential Sports Award in bicycling and weight training; Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. Higginbotham was also listed as one of Essence Magazine’s Top 50 Women of 2004.
Tonight, Higginbotham will add to her list of accolades when she receives the Adler Planetarium’s 2007 Women in Space Science Award, presented by the Adler Women’s Board. Each year the Women in Space Science Award is presented to a leading female in the science or technology community who has made a lasting impact on space exploration.
A graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet School, Higginbotham received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also received a Master of Management degree and a Master of Space Systems degree from Florida Institute of Technology.
“Although women and minorities have been underrepresented in the field of science, I believe Higginbotham’s example will help change that,” Quinn said. “This remarkable woman has been a true inspiration for those who dare to dream to do the impossible and it’s only fitting to acknowledge her pursuit of excellence by declaring 'Joan E. Higginbotham Day’ throughout the State of Illinois.”
