On July 25, 1994, just four years ago, Newsweek magazine provoked our thinking with its cover that read, To Walk on Mars - Scientists Can Get Us There, But Do We Dare? The feature article went on to describe that "a mission to Mars would signal, not the abandonment of Earth and its myriad problems, but the brave embrace of a future defined not by where we live, but by what we can dream." That dream was fulfilled three years later on July 4, 1997 and it happened under the leadership of a courageous woman, Donna Shirley, Manager of the Mars Exploration Program at the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Donna Shirley's personal story is one of determination, perseverance, and purpose. She found ways to move beyond what others may have seen as insurmountable barriers to make important achievements in her life. Could it be that anyone in Wynnewood, Oklahoma ever dreamed that a leader would emerge from their town and find it her destiny to manage the remarkable team that built Sojourner, the microrover, which was landed with miraculous success on Mars by the Mars Pathfinder project team? We do know that Donna Shirley had dreams of "getting to Mars" as a young girl and they obviously came true.

Congratulations again to Donna and her remarkable team for their leadership, dedication, creativity and significant contribution to the achievements of the 20th Century.

We honor you!

Photos from the Mars Exploration Program Website

Click here for Interview with Donna Shirley

Managing Martians

by Donna Shirley with Danelle Morton
Hardcover
320 Pages

The Pathfinder microrover was named after the 19th Century American renowned for her dedication to righteous causes, equality and justice, Sojourner Truth. Valerie Ambroise, a young teen, wrote the winning essay that suggested the name, Sojourner. Soujourner went on her mission of "truth" to Mars. Much like her namesake, when Pathfinder's Sojourner spoke to the world on July 4, 1997, we listened.

Learn more about Sojourner Truth and other Difference Makers

A leader's life, a "dream" fulfilled, and a highly gifted team that proved beyond earthly standards that more can be done with less and that all things are possible. The ingredients: a passionate leader, a diverse team, hard work, creativity, and an undaunted belief and dedication in one's mission. The story of a great contemporary leader, who was once told, "Girls can't be engineers!"

The next best thing to personally experiencing Donna Shirley's passion and message is reading about her leadership journey in Managing Martians. Her early-in-life visions and belief in possibilities drew her to the series of life events that led to her and her remarkable team to make their important contribution to the world. If you've ever felt the thrill of victory and want to feel the serge again, Managing Martians is the story that will take you there.

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