National Aeronautics andSpaceAdministration www.nasa.gov OFFICE OFDIVERSITYANDEQUALOPPORTUNITY to over 20 percent. In 1975, women women 1975, In percent. 20 over to risen has figure that were minorities—now workforce (S&E) engineering and science NASA the of percent 4.5 only 1975 in example, For diversity. workforce its increasing in strides ing NASAamaz-time made that has since However, agencies. Federal all of low - est the was percent, 5 at representation, standing NASA’s workforce 1970s, early minority the in Back Strides in Workforce Diversity letter ofEO. the as well as spirit the to commitment expressed publicly Fletcher C. James Administrator NASA where Center, Space Kennedy at conference EO first Agency’s the convened NASA 1972, March in Subsequently, program. ful success- a for blueprint a develop and NASA at progress EO for need the to her position on the line to call attention put willingly Harris, Bates Ruth head, created in September 1971. NASA EO was office EO Agency first NASA’s The EarlyDays dynamic period. the and this during environment workforce work NASA the shaping in played have efforts (EO) opportunity 50th equal and diversity Agency’s the role NASA’s of anniversary, we take a look back on the celebration In by Fred DaltonandDavidChambers We’ve ComeaLongWay Diversity andEOatNASA. Fiftieth AnniversaryPerspectives

Anniversary 50

Edition

th NASA FiftiethAnniversaryEdition grounds haveflowninspace. back- ethnic and racial of range wide a from women and men astronauts, be to aspired who those of work hard the and employees, dedicated their leaders, these of efforts the Through program. the for him recruited African and first astronaut, American the McNair, potential Atkinson Ron found California, in out While astronaut corps. the search for candidates respon- minority to personal Johnson his sibility it the made Atkin- Joe son that Officer EO Center Space recalled Hall had.” Agency the candidates astronaut mire wanted to know how many minority testify,Prox- to Senator Hill the on went Administrator the time “each (ODEO), Office of the Diversity and of Equal Opportunity Administrator Assistant Deputy former Hall, Oceola to corps. According astronaut the integrating in instrumental greater of diversity in the astronaut corps, they champion were congressional a Together with 1974–1992. Senator William Proxmire, from head, EO any ten- of ure longest the served who NASA Jenkins, for Harriett Dr. of objective leadership EO the under major program a astronaut was the of Integration Integrating the Astronaut Corps civilian laborworkforcestatistic. workforce now stands above the relevant S&E NASA the minorities, and women both of cases the In percent. 20 nearly cent of the workforce. Now they, too, are per 3 only comprised NASA at S&E in OFFICE OFDIVERSITY ANDEQUALOPPORTUNITY -

Inside Endeavor EEO Matters Perspectives Fiftieth Anniversary Fun FactsQuiz Diversity Forum Case LawUpdate Hispanic Youth Outreach Program EEOC GuidanceonReligion Non-Discrimination Act The ADAAmendmentsandGenetic Where We’re Headed We’ve comeaLongWay Diversity andEOatNASA Case LawonRetaliation,Gender Identity NASA Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones was the first Mercury flighttoachievethisgoal. was thefirstMercury 6flighton 20,The Mercury-Atlas February 1962, with thegoalofputtingamaninorbitaroundEarth. programranfrom1959through1963 The Mercury human spaceflightprogramoftheUnitedStates. inProjectMercury,group toparticipate thefirst 9,April 1959—NASAselectsitsfirst astronaut that directedoperations. that million, inadditiontoasmallheadquartersstaff andanannualbudgetof$100 8,000 employees Space beganoperation.Administration NASAhad October 1, 1958— The National Aeronautics and Fall/Winter 2008 . . . .

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Fiftieth Anniversary Perspectives 2

Innovative EO and Diversity Efforts cessing of complaints. A decade later, 1960 Over the years, NASA continued to when the Federal Government moved support growth and innovation in EO toward Alternative Dispute Resolu- and diversity. During Dr. Jenkins’s tion (ADR) to more efficiently resolve tenure, NASA helped establish and EEO complaints, NASA served in a pilot expand research centers at Histori- program. cally Black Colleges and Universi- ties, Hispanic-Serving Institutions,and By the early 1990s, under Dr. Jenkin’s During the early 1960s, a group of women trained to become astronauts for America’s first human Tribal Colleges, establishing these leadership, NASA had expanded its spaceflight program. They were members of the First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs, also known institutions as feeders to the NASA efforts beyond EO to include a two- as the “Mercury 13”). workforce and the astronaut corps. year, Agency-wide program of multi- Among NASA leaders who are gradu- cultural training, expanding notions of ates of Historically Black Colleges and EO beyond traditional “EEO groups,” Universities are Charles Scales, Asso- such as women and minorities, to 1969 ciate Deputy Administrator (Alabama include a greater diversity of cultural A&M University), Christyl Johnson, backgrounds and perspectives. Assistant Associate Administrator (Lincoln University), and Dr. Julian Earls, former Director, Glenn Research Through ... the hard work Center (Norfolk State University). of those who aspired to be July 16, 1969 — Apollo 11 lifted off. At 4:18 p.m. EST on July 20, 1969, the Lunar Module—with astronauts Hall recalled the late 1970s, when the astronauts, men and women Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin—landed on NASA EO office could no longer call the lunar surface. Armstrong set foot on the surface, from a wide range of racial telling the millions of listeners that it was “one small upon the Office of Inspections to inves- step for man—one giant leap for mankind.” and ethnic backgrounds tigate EEO complaints. NASA brought in investigators from the Civil Service have flown in space. Commission to ensure the timely pro- 1976 Fiftieth Anniversary Perspectives

Diversity and EO at NASA . . . Dalton, CMP Manager, explains there July 20, 1976 — The Viking 1 planetary lander Where We’re Headed are plans to expand the program through touched down on Mars after a voyage of nearly one year. The Viking spacecraft continued to transmit offering coaching and consultations to Earth for six years after first reaching Mars. by Judy Phillips with individual organizations, as well as classroom and Web-based advanced The Office of Diversity and Equal training. Barbara Spotts, ODEO’s Diver- Opportunity sees more change and sity Manager, expects ODEO to roll out 1981 continued growth ahead for diversity the Agency Framework for Diversity and and EO. According to Brenda R. Man- Inclusion in upcoming months, with the uel, Assistant Administrator for Diver- rollout being completed in the spring. sity and Equal Opportunity, “It really “Diversity is going to play a much larger is an exciting time for us as we move role at this Agency in the future,” says forward with plans and initiatives that Spotts. will continue to improve our services Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones NASA

and allow ODEO to change and grow Another important tool going forward is April 12, 1981 — The first flight of the Space Trans- as NASA’s mission changes.” the Model EEO Agency Plan. Accord- portation System (STS-1) was on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Columbia became the first airplane-like ing to Mike Torres, Director, Program craft to land from orbit for reuse when it touched down at Edwards Air Force after a flight of 2 days, 6 ODEO’s plans in the near future Planning and Evaluation Division, “The hours and almost 21 minutes. The mission also was the first to employ both liquid- and solid-propellant involve the Conflict Management Model EEO Agency Plan is a tool we rocket engines for the launch of a spacecraft carrying Program (CMP) and Diversity. Fred use to improve our EEO performance. It humans.

www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Fiftieth Anniversary Perspectives 3 is a means of ensuring that employment requires and assists ODEO to examine 1983 decisions in the Agency are free from what we do and to make improvements. discrimination. Through the plan, we can ODEO will continue to develop proactive examine employment policies and prac- initiatives to bring us closer to our goal of tices to identify and remove barriers to becoming a model Agency for EEO.” equal opportunity.” Each Center prepares a plan that is rolled into the Agency Plan. “Through the [Model Agency The plan looks in depth at several ele- EEO plan], we can examine em- ments, including EEO integration into the June 18, 1983 — Astronaut Sally K. Ride became the ployment policies and practices first American woman and the youngest American to NASA mission, maximizing efficiency reach outer space as a mission specialist on STS-7. in EEO processes, timely responsive- to identify and remove barriers to ness, and legal compliance. Torres con- equal opportunity.” cludes, “The Model EEO Agency Plan EEO Matters

The ADA Amendments and the activity, or a record of such impairment. Genetic Information Non-discrim- Accommodations need not be provided ination Act: Congress Passes to an individual who is only “regarded Civil Rights Legislation for the as” having an impairment. 21st Century August 30, 1983 — Astronaut Guion “Guy” Bluford became the first African-American astronaut as a On May 21, 2008, President Bush mission specialist on STS-8. by David Chambers and Judy Phillips signed into law the Genetic Informa- tion Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). On September 25, 2008, President Bush GINA will protect Americans against signed into law sweeping amendments to discrimination based on their genetic 1990 the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. information when it comes to health The amendments are designed to: insurance and employment. GINA pro- - Overturn Supreme Court decisions nar- hibits employment discrimination on rowing the scope of protections for peo- the basis of genetic information (such ple with disabilities under the ADA; as genetic test results, information about - Prohibit consideration of “mitigating an individual’s family medical history measures” such as medication, pros- such as the manifestation of a disease or thetics, and assistive technology, in disorder). The law was needed to help April 24,1990 — Launch of the Hubble Space Telescope determining whether an individual has a ease concerns about discrimination that from the Space Shuttle. Hubble has made many impor- tant astronomical discoveries, including striking images disability with the exception of ordinary might keep people from getting genetic of galaxy M87, providing evidence of a potentially eyeglasses and contact lenses; and tests that could benefit their health. massive black hole. - Provide that reasonable accommodations It also enables people to take part in are only required for individuals who research studies without fear that their can demonstrate they have an impair- DNA might be used against them by ment that substantially limits a major life their employer or health insurer. 1992 EEO Matters New EEOC Guidance on Religion

In response, EEOC recently issued a Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones NASA under Title VII new Compliance Manual Section on by Judy Phillips Religious Discrimination, along with a Questions and Answer Fact Sheet and The number of religious discrimination Best Practices Booklet. The new Com- charges filed with the EEOC has risen pliance Manual Section defines religion September 12, 1992 — Physicist Mae Jemison dramatically in the past 15 years, from very broadly for purposes of determin- becomes the first African-American woman in space as a mission specialist on STS-47. 1,388 in FY 1992 to 2,880 in FY 2007. ing what the law covers. For purposes www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EEO Matters 4

of Title VII, religion includes not only employers. Best practices among employ- 1993 traditional, organized religions such as ees include advising a supervisor or man- Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hindu- ager of the nature of any conflict between ism, and Buddhism, but also religious a religious need and the work rules; and beliefs that may not be part of any for- employees who seek to proselytize in the mal church or sect. Social, political, or workplace should cease doing so with economic philosophies (e.g. member- respect to any individual who indicates ship in the KKK) are not “religious” that such communications are unwel- beliefs protected by Title VII. The Best come. Best practices on the employer side

Practices Booklet provides examples include being flexible and creative with April 8, 1993 — Ellen Lauri Ochoa, a former of types of religious accommodation work schedules, work duties, and selection astronaut and current Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center, became the first Hispanic woman in that may benefit both employees and procedures. These documents are available space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the Shuttle Discovery in 1993. The astronauts were at www.eeoc.gov. studying Earth’s ozone layer.

Case Law Update 2002 Supreme Court Ruling on Why is this relevant? Retaliation The Gomez decision applies to federal by Aisha Moore employees. The ADEA has an explicit anti-retaliation provision for private On May 27, 2008, the Supreme Court sector employees, but provided no anti- issued two decisions clarifying that the retaliation provision applicable to fed- Age Discrimination in Employment eral workers. Subsequently, the Supreme Act (ADEA) provides a cause of action Court’s ruling concluded that Congress August 12, 2002 — Frederick D. Gregory was sworn for retaliation against an employer. “intended” that retaliation be considered in as the NASA Deputy Administrator, becoming the The two cases were CBOCS West, Inc. another form of “intentional discrimina- first African American to hold this position. v. Humpries and Gomez-Perez v. Pot- tion” under the law. ter, Postmaster General (May 2008). 2004 Most relevant to federal employ- How does this affect you? ees, the U.S. Supreme Court held in This ruling continues the Supreme Gomez-Perez that the ADEA prohibits Court’s trend of taking an expansive view retaliation against a federal employee of anti-retaliation claims, which began who complains of age discrimination. with Burlington and Faragher. Federal employers must seriously monitor how

What Happened? employees are treated after making/filing January 3 & 24, 2004 — NASA successfully landed Ms. Gomez-Perez filed suit, claim- complaints to ensure complainants do two mobile geology labs, Spirit and Opportunity, on the surface of Mars in the span of three weeks. Within ing that her employer had violated the not suffer retaliation. weeks, Opportunity discovered evidence that water had once occupied its landing site. federal-sector provision of the ADEA, Federal Court Ruling on which requires that all personnel Gender Identity actions affecting employees… at least 40 years of age be made free from by Aisha Moore any discrimination based on age. The 45 year old postal worker alleged that In Schroer v. Billington, on September 28, her employer subjected her to numer- 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Dis- Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones NASA ous forms of retaliation after she filed trict of Columbia ruled that the Library an administrative ADEA complaint. of Congress discriminated against Diane January 14, 2004 — President George W. Bush announced the new Vision for Space Exploration in a The First Circuit had affirmed the Dis- Schroer by not hiring her after learning speech at NASA Headquarters. Among its goals and objectives, the vision aimed for a human return to the trict Court’s ruling, holding that the of her plans to live as a full-time woman. Moon by 2020 and human exploration of Mars and beyond. In response, NASA developed the Constella- ADEA’s prohibition does not cover The court held that Schroer was a victim tion Program, including a new spacecraft, the Orion retaliation. of illegal sex discrimination in the form Crew Exploration Vehicle.

www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Case Law Update 5

of sex stereotyping, which is afforded Schroer that she “was not a good fit.” 2004 protection under Title VII. The position was offered to and accepted by the next highest scoring candidate. What Happened? Formerly known as David Schroer, Why is this relevant? Diane Schroer was a “dream candi- Traditionally, transgendered people have date” who was recommended for the generally been unsuccessful in establish- position by Charlotte Preece, a staff ing rights under federal anti-discrimi- member of the Congressional Research nation laws, with most courts holding Service (CRS), Library of Congress. that transgendered individuals are not

The CRS considered her an ideal can- protected under Title VII. Transgendered July 1, 2004 — Following a 7-year, 2-billion-mile didate for a congressional analyst/ter- people have had to draw on other theo- journey, Cassini-Huygens became the first spacecraft to go into orbit around Saturn. In October 2004, the rorism specialist position. ries for protection, such as sex discrimi- spacecraft flew within 800 miles of Titan, the largest of Saturn’s moons and the only moon in our solar nation. system with an atmosphere. Schroer interviewed for the position in male appearance and used the name How does this affect you? David during the interview. After the That has yet to be seen. While Schroer interview, she scored higher than any is undoubtedly a landmark case, it was other applicant and CRS offer ed her the a federal district court level case. Other 2005 position. Prior to beginning the posi- federal courts have been unwilling to tion, Schroer informed Preece, with take such a strong approach toward whom she had interviewed, that after protection under Title VII for transgen- years of cross-dressing, she was pre- dered persons. The Justice Department is paring to start living full-time as a reviewing the case for purposes of appeal woman. She also disclosed that she and the case will likely undergo intense was preparing to have sexual reassign- appellate scrutiny. For now, Schroer is ment surgery and would begin work as a definitive positive step in extending Diane Schroer, not David. federal anti-discrimination protection to transgendered individuals.

Preece later contacted Schroer to November 29, 2005 — Shana L. Dale was sworn in as the Deputy Administrator of NASA, becoming the rescind the job offer, informing first woman to hold this position. Diversity Forum

Hispanic Youth Outreach percent in 2007). Hispanics holding Fed- Program eral jobs (7.7 percent) is not proportional to the number of Hispanics in the gen- 2006 by Judy Phillips eral population (15 percent). Agencies According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employing the largest number of the Hispanic population is the fastest Hispanics include the Department of growing segment of the population and comprises the largest minority group in the United States. Between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, almost one out of NASA Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones NASA every two people added to the Nation’s population was Hispanic. Despite this dramatic increase in the population, January 19, 2006 — New Horizons launched from in the past decade Hispanic represen- Cape Canaveral, beginning its nine-year trek toward Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. The first spacecraft to tation in the Federal workforce has journey to Pluto, New Horizons was the first in NASA’s New Frontiers program of medium-class planetary increased only slightly more than 1 missions. percent (from 6.2 percent in 1997 to 7.7 Al Condes www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Diversity Forum 6 Homeland Security (over 18 percent), ing questions and providing advice on 2008 Social Security Administration (13 the challenges they face. Al Condes, percent) and the Justice Department (9 the Deputy Assistant Administrator for percent). NASA has shown an increase External Relations at Headquarters, in its Hispanic population from 5 per- called it “truly a powerful experience cent in 2000 to 5.5 percent in 2007. to be able to meet and talk to such an enthusiastic group of young men and Hispanic advocates have called for an women, all motivated to do something May 25, 2008 — The Mars Phoenix Lander sets down in the Martian arctic to find out whether the region increased presence in the feeder pipe- special with their lives.” He said that, can support life and to learn the history of water despite their diverse backgrounds within at the landing site. Phoenix is the sixth successful lines to improve the Hispanic repre- landing on Mars (all of them American) out of the 12 the Hispanic community, all shared a attempts that reached Mars. It is the most recent sentation in the Federal Government spacecraft to land successfully on Mars, and it is also in the future. This suggestion makes common interest in learning how to best the first successful landing on a polar region of Mars. sense in light of another fact: the rate achieve their full potential through edu- cation, training, and career development of Hispanics completing higher educa- opportunities. tion is relatively low. As of 2006, only 12.5 percent of Hispanics in the U.S. had a college degree, the lowest rate of any group in the United States.

Recently, in an attempt to reach out to an upcoming generation of the May 31–June 14, 2008 — STS-124, one of the most diverse Shuttle astronaut crews ever, delivers the workforce, Headquarters became main segment of Japan’s International Space Station laboratory, culminating 23 years of work to involved in the Hispanic Youth bring this segment to the world’s space outpost. Symposium, a nonprofit program dedicated to developing and grow- Omar DeFrias ing the next generation of His- panic professionals. Symposiums are Omar DeFrias, a Management and Pro- held throughout the country to assist gram Analyst from the Office of the hundreds of promising high school Chief Information Officer, found the students onto a path of achieving col- lege degrees and careers. For a four- experience “powerful” and “life- changing” for both students and mentors day period, the students live on a col- Stennis Space Center staff posing in an outline of the lege campus and attend educational alike. “The opportunity to interact with the number 50 in honor of NASA’s 50th anniversary. workshops, participate in leadership next generation of Hispanic leaders, listen activities, and meet and speak with to their stories, and live their experiences Hispanic leaders in the community. in such a short period of time was truly Alumni of the program are eligible for remarkable.” According to DeFrias, “You scholarships through the Hispanic Col- see these types of activities going on all lege Fund. Participants are encouraged the time, but it is not until you actually to enter the fields of business, science, participate and listen to each of these technology, engineering, and math. young men and women and their stories that you connect your past to their pres- Headquarters sponsored three student ent.” Condes agreed: “It was personally scholarships for each of the symposiums rewarding to think that my discussions NASA Achievements and EO/Diversity Milestones NASA held in the Washington, DC, area. In with these students could perhaps help addition, two Headquarters employees them in some small way to achieve their with an interest in helping Hispanic future career goals.” youth donated their time and energy by acting as “Hispanic Heroes,” mentor- ing approximately 135 students over Special Thanks to the Endeavor Team: the course of an afternoon by answer- David Chambers, Fred Dalton, Aisha Moore, and Judy Phillips www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 1. Who was the first American to orbit Earth?

2. Who was the oldest person to walk on the Moon?

3. Who was the first African American Space Shuttle pilot?

4. Who was the first woman to command a Space Shuttle flight?

5. Which astronaut honored his Native American heritage by bringing a Chickasaw Nation flag with him in space?

6. Who was the youngest American astronaut in space?

7. Which American astronaut has logged the most hours in space?

8. Which astronaut, prior to his career at NASA, was drafted to play in the National Football League?

9. Which astronaut is also a medical doctor, a former medical missionary to West Africa, a linguist, and a television broadcaster?

FUN FACTS 10. Which astronaut is currently a Deputy Center Director at

Johnson Space Center?

ector at JSC in 2007. in JSC at ector Dir Center Deputy the named was Ochoa llen E 10.

tion of science and technology in everyday life. everyday in technology and science of tion

r. Mae Jemison, whose broadly diverse professional career also includes founding the Jemison Group, which focuses on the beneficial integra- beneficial the on focuses which Group, Jemison the founding includes also career professional diverse broadly whose Jemison, Mae r. D 9.

Leland Melvin was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 1986 NFL college draft. college NFL 1986 the in Lions Detroit the by chosen was Melvin Leland 8.

Peggy Whitson, with two long-duration stays aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has logged just over 376 days in space. in days 376 over just logged has (ISS), Station Space International the aboard stays long-duration two with Whitson, Peggy 7.

Sally K. Ride was 32 years old on STS-7 in 1983. in STS-7 on old years 32 was Ride K. Sally 6.

John B. Herrington on STS-113 in 2002. 2002. in STS-113 on Herrington B. John 5.

Astronaut Eileen M. Collins during STS-93 in 1999. 1999. in STS-93 during Collins M. Eileen Astronaut 4.

Astronaut Frederick D. Gregory during STS-33 in 1989. 1989. in STS-33 during Gregory D. Frederick Astronaut 3.

Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. at age 47 during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. 1971. in mission 14 Apollo the during 47 age at Jr. Shepard, B. Alan Astronaut 2.

John Glenn orbited Earth in 1962 during the mission of Mercury 6. 6. Mercury of mission the during 1962 in Earth orbited Glenn John 1. Answers:

www.nasa.gov OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY