On Wednesday, Marine Colonel Nicole Mann, 45 became the first Native American woman in space, as one of four bound for the International Space Station (ISS).
“[I hope it] will inspire young Native American children to follow their dreams and realize that some of those barriers that are there or used to be there are being broken down.”
– Nicole Mann
Col Mann is a registered member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes and completed her astronaut training in 2015.
Col Mann is an experienced pilot in the US Marine Corps and has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. She has been awarded six medals for her service.
The remaining members of the crew include the American John Cassada, Japan’s Koichi Wakta and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina.
