Houston – It was a fun Friday in Studio B as Houston Life regular Sharon Caples McDougle stopped by to catch us up on her busy life!
McDougle continues to inspire those around her as she travels sharing her story of resilience, dedication, and breaking barriers. From entering the Air Force because she thought it was her only option, to becoming the first black woman to become a spacesuit technician at NASA, her contributions to space exploration are nothing short of remarkable.
She had the opportunity to do it for 22 years before retiring in 2012 following the end of the Space Shuttle Program.
During COVID-19, she released her first children’s book ‘Suit Up for Launch with Shay.’ It walks readers through a typical suit-up and answers many of the questions asked by children…. Why do astronauts wear the suit? Why is it orange? What is it made of? How long does it take to put it on? How do you go to the bathroom in it?
McDougle shared on Houston Life that her second book ‘Suit Up to Dive with Shay’ is in the works. It will follow her husband’s career as a scuba diver. The book is available for pre-order via email or her website.
McDougle is a strong advocate for her behind-the-scenes career. With her help, Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman made it to space. With her leadership, she managed over two dozen employees responsible for the equipment worn by the astronaut crews aboard the space shuttle. And with her resilience, she made a name for herself without a college degree and beat the odds of a challenging upbringing. Now, with her family’s support, she makes Space City proud by sharing her story and writing inspirational books so others like her can find their place in space!
You can connect with hidden figure Sharon Caples McDougle on Instagram or her website.