It’s Women’s History Month and every week we are bringing you stories of women from our region. Eileen Collins broke barriers in STEM, inspiring women to achieve their dreams.

Eileen Collins grew up in Elmira and learned to fly while she was still a teenager. She attended both Corning Community College and Syracuse University. Her educational career led her to teach math and test aircraft with the Air Force. She became an astronaut in the early 90’s.

She served on four space missions and became the first woman to pilot a spacecraft, and the first woman to command a space flight.

“Representation matters. So Eileen Collins as a young girl was a really big fan of the original 'Star Trek,' and that pushed her into the space program. And so seeing women in space on a show inspired her. Seeing a woman who was an actual person that they’ve met in space I’m sure inspired other people to get involved in STEM," said Chemung County Historical Society Archivist Rachel Dworkin.

She retired from NASA in 2006, but her work continues to inspire.

“Puts Elmira on the map and it puts her on the map as being a wonderful role model for young women and young girls everywhere. I think it’s just a wonderful thing and we’re really proud to have her from Elmira," said Peggi Bargh, from Elmira.

“It’s nice to know that its women’s month and that she did inspire people and herself to be more than what she is and where she’s at so that’s kinda cool," said Alicia Nuckles, from Corning.

Her work has been acknowledged beyond Elmira, earning her NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Free Spirit Award, and the National Space Trophy.

“She’s been honored in a number of different setting she’s in the state women's hall of fame, she’s in the National Women’s Hall of Fame, so you know she’s a big deal," said Dworkin.

There are signs of Eileen Collins presence throughout Elmira from the National Soaring Museum to the local elementary school, to the sign welcoming visitors to the town. Collins had more than 6,000 hours in 30 different types of aircraft over the course of her career.