Forging a new path is hard work. It is so daunting that most don’t even try. For pioneers, the climb is always steeper, the barriers taller, the craters loom larger yet the resistance stronger. But when, at last, the goal is met, it is far more rewarding. Not just because you accomplished something, but also because you forged a new path for others to follow. No medal can top this feeling of achievement. Few embody this tumultuous journey as powerfully as Eileen Collins, NASA’s first female pilot and space shuttle commander.
Her autobiography captivated me years ago, and this weekend, the documentary Spacewoman brought her incredible story to life on the big screen. Directed by Hannah Berryman and produced by Natasha Dack Ojumu and Keith Haviland, this intimate and authentic film provides a raw and unfiltered look at what it takes—and the sacrifices it demands—to be first.
Eileen Collins’ journey began in Elmira, New York, where she grew up in a household marked by poverty and instability. From a young age, she dreamed of flying as an escape from her challenging home life. Quietly and diligently, she worked for years to save money for flying lessons, taking on any part-time job she could find while still a student. She cleaned her high school’s halls as a janitor and helped customers at a home goods store. For her, no job was too menial, no effort too great. At the age of 19, after years of determination, she finally had enough saved to take her first flying lessons—a pivotal moment that set her on a course to greatness.
US Air Force Admits Female Pilots
When the U.S. Air Force opened its doors to female pilots, Collins was among the first in line, seizing an opportunity that had been out of reach for generations of women. The overt and covert discrimination and harassment she faced as one of the first women in an overwhelmingly male environment didn’t deter her. Instead, she doubled down and forged ahead.
NASA came calling
Her journey reached new heights when NASA selected her to be its first female shuttle pilot. Flying the shuttle was a feat only a select few could dream of, let alone achieve. Yet Collins didn’t stop there. After her first two missions, she became NASA’s first female space shuttle commander—a monumental achievement that inspired countless women and girls to pursue careers in STEM. (Read my Forbes article on NASA’s first female commander of the International Space Station).
The documentary provides an intimate glimpse into Collins’ life beyond the cockpit. Home videos reveal her running to space shuttle training after feeding and playing with her toddler in the morning, and explaining to her young daughter that she was going to space again, even after they recently lost friends in a terrible space shuttle tragedy. You could feel Collins wrestling with the best words to communicate this news with her young child, giving the entire film a depth you couldn’t get just from reading about Collins’ life.
Going to space after the Columbia disaster
Eileen Collins’ fourth and final mission came on the heels of the tragic Columbia disaster. What was supposed to be a routine mission became anything but. With a critical malfunction threatening the mission, Collins and her crew faced high-stakes maneuvers and daring spacewalks. Her calm demeanor and precise leadership guided her team to safety, cementing her legacy as a commander who thrived under pressure. These scenes underscore a key message of the film: Eileen Collins wasn’t just a great female commander; she was a great commander, period.
Spacewoman doesn’t shy away from the emotional and physical toll of being first.
Through interviews with colleagues like Dr. Cady Coleman and Dr. Charlie Camarda, as well as Collins’ family members, the documentary captures the cost of trailblazing while celebrating the glass ceilings Collins shattered time and again.
Eileen Collins’ story is one of grit, perseverance, and incredible grace under fire. She exemplifies what it means to lead the way, to endure challenges, and to inspire others to dream higher. In the end, Spacewoman is more than a documentary; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that with courage and hard work, no dream—no matter how far out of reach—remains impossible.