A Mission To Mars
[By Barbra Russell, MA, LPC, Director, PHD Counseling Ministry]
I remember when I saw the movie, “Hidden Figures,” about three African-American mathematicians who played an integral part in NASA’s space-race success. It was amazing to learn about these phenomenally intelligent women making a difference at a time when women as a whole, much less, African American women, were not recognized for brilliance, much less for helping out in the space race!
No, during the decades of the 1950’s and 1960’s, it was often said that “women’s brains aren’t made for mathematics and science.” And I never heard the story of those “Hidden Figures” until the movie came out in this decade. How many other women (and men) have remained unknown, unseen and unheard, yet have made a significant contribution, a difference, to society and to our lives?
Just think, you might be sitting next to someone at church who has such a story to tell. Someone like Jessica from The Potter’s House Church of Denver:
Jessica took part in PHD’s Life Groups lay counseling classes, completed leadership training and the emotionally healthy relationship groups where I had the chance to get acquainted with her. She is also an ordained elder and obviously has a heart for God and for ministry and not only at church; Jessica is recognized as a leader in the community. She recently participated in something special through her work and sent me the following note:
“I just spent the week working with women engineers on the Mars 2020 mission at NASA in Pasadena.
It was amazing; leadership development for people who are already extremely cool. God is amazing. I shared some of my story with them, which included my core, core value of being a child of God, which drives my essential purpose and personality.
Some of them came up to me after, thankful that I did, because talking about God is usually taboo. Once I opened the door, they felt safe to set aside the norm and share their same beliefs with each other. (secretly, of course, don’t tell the astronauts, ha ha!) I love this gig!” (signed) Jessica
In 2020, I’ll think of those women engineers and how The Potter’s House of Denver is now connected to them because of Jessica and the impact she made on a mission to Mars.
Has there been someone who’s made an impact on your life? I’d love to hear from you and learn their story as well. Contact me at: barb@barbrarussell.com