Astronaut, volunteer Stephanie D. Wilson honored

NASA astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson ’88 was awarded the Women’s Professional Achievement Award at the 11th annual Harvard College Women’s Leadership Awards ceremony held April 3 at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square. Additionally, Harvard senior Katherine Beck received the Women’s Leadership Award. Both honors were presented by the Harvard College Women’s Center.

After receiving a B.S. in engineering science from Harvard College, Wilson was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 1996. She has also worked with the Martin Marietta Astronautics Group in Denver and Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

According to the Harvard College Women’s Center, “Beck has demonstrated a commitment to improving undergraduate life throughout her four years at Harvard.” She served as a student intern in the Advising Programs Office, and was an assistant on the curricular review and the presidential search committee. Beck has also served as a campus campaign coordinator for Teach for America, and interned with community schools in New Orleans to support their funding and rebuilding. After graduation, she will work with the Teach for America program in New Orleans.

The Harvard College Women’s Leadership Awards are funded through an endowment established with a gift from Harvard alumna Terrie Fried Bloom ’75. The Harvard College Women’s Center is focused on providing resources, programs, and services to support the needs of undergraduate women on the Harvard campus. Its mission is to promote awareness of women’s and gender issues and to support contributions by women who challenge, motivate, and inspire.