What do you see when looking into the sky? For some, it might be a blue sky with clouds. For others, it might be beautiful stars shining in the night. But for Eileen Collins it was opportunity. 

Eileen Collins was the first American female astronaut to pilot an American space shuttle. Eileen Collins was an important and powerful leader in the anti-sexism movement. 

Eileen Marie Collins was born in Elmira, New York on November 19, 1956. As A child she dreamed about soaring through the sky as a Pilot with one goal: reaching space. Her parents often took her to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. Starting at a young age, Eileen showed skill and passion for math and science. 

After high school, Eileen went to Corning Community College because her family couldn't afford a larger college. But this didn’t stop Eileen she kept on working hard and eventually earned a two-year scholarship to Syracuse University.