“The experience of being in space didn't change my perspective of myself or of the planet or of life. I had no spiritual experience.”
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For whatever reason, I didn't succumb to the stereotype that science wasn't for girls. I got encouragement from my parents. I never ran into a teacher or a counselor who told me that science was for boys. A lot of my friends did.
For a long time, society put obstacles in the way of women who wanted to enter the sciences.
I liked math - that was my favorite subject - and I was very interested in astronomy and in physical science.
It takes a couple of years just to get the background and knowledge that you need before you can go into detailed training for your mission.