- Table View
- List View
Elk Love: A Montana Memoir
by Lynne Spriggs O'ConnorHaving spent ten summers on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation near Glacier National Park, part of her doctoral fieldwork for a PhD in Native American Art History, forty-two-year-old Lynne Spriggs thinks of Montana as her healing place. When she moves to “Big Sky Country” from the East Coast in a quest to reset her life, she has high hopes for what awaits her. Great Falls, a farming and military town in central Montana, is not what Lynne imagined when she decided to leave city life behind. But her dream of being more connected to nature in the American West comes alive when she meets Harrison, a handsome rancher thirteen years her senior. Wary but curious, with her dog Willow by her side, she leans into the seasonal rhythms of Harrison’s hidden valley and opens her heart to a wild language that moves beyond words. In a modern world where listening is rare, Elk Love explores an intimate place where loneliness gives way to wonder, where the natural world speaks of what matters most.
Elks Opera House, The (Images of America)
by Parker Anderson Elisabeth RuffnerFor over 100 years, the Elks Opera House has been a landmark of the cultural scene in Prescott, Arizona, and the western United States. In 1904, the people of Prescott raised $15,000 toward a performance hall to be included in the Elks Building. The original structure featured opera boxes that were later removed to adapt to the demands of motion pictures, and the entire proscenium arch was covered with wood paneling. In 2010, the Elks Opera House Foundation completed major renovations to restore the original 1905 grandeur of the theater and the 1928 marquee, which was paid for by grants from local charitable foundations, Arizona historic preservation funds, and generous participation by businesses and individuals. The Elks Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Ella: A Novel
by Diane RichardsIn the vein of The Paris Wife and The Personal Librarian comes this debut novel, a magnificent work of “biographical fiction” that reimagines the turbulent and triumphant early years of Ella Fitzgerald, arguably the greatest singer of the twentieth century.When fifteen-year-old Ella Fitzgerald’s mother dies at the height of the Depression in 1932, the teenager goes to work for the mob to support herself and her family. When the law finally catches up, the “ungovernable” adolescent is incarcerated in the New York Training School for Girls in upstate New York—a wicked prison infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates, especially Black ones. Determined to be free, Ella escapes and makes her way back to Harlem, where she is forced to dance for pennies on the street.Looking for a break into show business, Ella draws straws to appear at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night on November 21, 1934. Rather than perform a dance routine directly after “The World Famous Edwards Sisters” number, the homeless Ella, wearing men’s galoshes a size too big, risks everything when she decides to sing Judy instead. Four years later, at barely twenty-one, Ella Fitzgerald has become the bestselling female vocalist in America.Diane Richards’ Ella Fitzgerald is inspiring and intriguing—an emotionally rich, psychologically complex character, a flawed mother and wife who struggles with deep emotional scars and trauma and battles racism, sexism, and colorism as she learns to find her voice on the stage. Ella takes us from the brothels, speakeasys, and streets of Depression-era New York City to the grand hotel suites where Ella, now older and wiser, looks back on her life and finally confronts the demons from childhood that torment her.Compelling and rich in historical detail, Ella is a remarkable debut novel about an extraordinary woman.
Ella Baker: Freedom Bound
by Joanne GrantThis is the story of Miss Ella Baker who once worked for Martin Luther King, Jr. She is both one of thousands of anonymous women and men who made the twentieth-century movement for expanded democracy work, and among the most extraordinary members of that group. It is time for a larger audience to meet her, and thanks to Joanne Grant, they will.
Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement
by Barbara RansbyOne of the most important African American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement, Ella Baker (1903-1986) was an activist whose remarkable career spanned fifty years and touched thousands of lives. A gifted grassroots organizer, Baker shunned the spotlight in favor of vital behind-the-scenes work that helped power the black freedom struggle. She was a national officer and key figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one of the founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and a prime mover in the creation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Baker made a place for herself in predominantly male political circles that included W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, and Martin Luther King Jr., all the while maintaining relationships with a vibrant group of women, students, and activists both black and white.In this deeply researched biography, Barbara Ransby chronicles Baker's long and rich political career as an organizer, an intellectual, and a teacher, from her early experiences in depression-era Harlem to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Ransby shows Baker to be a complex figure whose radical, democratic worldview, commitment to empowering the black poor, and emphasis on group-centered, grassroots leadership set her apart from most of her political contemporaries. Beyond documenting an extraordinary life, the book paints a vivid picture of the African American fight for justice and its intersections with other progressive struggles worldwide across the twentieth century.One of the most important African American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement, Ella Baker (1903-1986) was an activist whose remarkable career spanned fifty years and touched thousands of lives. In this deeply researched biography, Barbara Ransby chronicles Baker's long and rich political career as an organizer, an intellectual, and a teacher, from her early experiences in depression-era Harlem to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Ransby paints a vivid picture of the African American fight for justice and its intersections with other progressive struggles worldwide across the twentieth century.-->
Ella Fitzgerald: A Biography of the First Lady of Jazz, Updated Edition
by Stuart NicholsonStuart Nicholson's biography of Ella Fitzgerald is considered a classic in jazz literature. Drawing on original documents, interviews, and new information, Nicholson draws a complete picture of Fitzgerald's professional and personal life. Fitzgerald rose from being a pop singer with chart-novelty hits in the late '30s to become a bandleader and then one of the greatest interpreters of American popular song. Along with Billie Holiday, she virtually defined the female voice in jazz, and countless others followed in her wake and acknowledged her enormous influence. Also includes two 8-page inserts.
Ella Fitzgerald
by Tanya Lee StoneThe name ?Ella Fitzgerald? brings to mind a silky voice crooning jazz standards. The First Lady of Song earned her nickname by touring almost nonstop for over fifty years, winning thirteen Grammys, and recording album after album. But who was the woman behind the name? How did a teenage runaway become a renowned jazz singer? Long after her homeless days, Ella remained insecure?she often suffered stage fright. Yet she was a born performer, able to improvise lyrics and record songs in single takes. She even seemed more comfortable on stage than off, and close friends found her hard to truly know. Tanya Lee Stone?s Up Close biography delivers several never-before-published details of this intensely private, legendary singer?s life.
Ella Grasso: Connecticut's Pioneering Governor (The Driftless Connecticut Series)
by Jon E. PurmontWhen Ella Tambussi Grasso ran for governor of Connecticut in 1974, she had not lost an election since she was first voted into the state's General Assembly in 1952. The people of Connecticut chose her as the nation's first woman to be elected governor in her own right—the capstone of a long and successful career dedicated to public service, effective government, and the democratic process. During her tenure as governor, Grasso's leadership was tested in the face of fiscal problems, state layoffs, and budget shortfalls. The daughter of Italian immigrants, she endeared herself to her constituents during the great Blizzard of 1978, when she stayed at the State Armory around the clock to direct emergency operations and make frequent television appearances. Author Jon E. Purmont, who served as Grasso's executive assistant when she was governor, draws on his diary from that time, research in Grasso's archives, and interviews with Grasso's family and friends to give us a rich and intimate portrait of this political pioneer.
Ella in Europe: An American Dog's International Adventures
by Michael KonikPart travelogue, part valentine to a beloved pet, "Ella in Europe" chronicles Konik's magical six-week journey through Europe with his dog, Ella.
Ella persistió: 13 mujeres americanas que cambiaron el mundo
by Chelsea ClintonA lo largo de la historia de Estados Unidos, siempre ha habido mujeres que han alzado sus voces para protestar por la injusticia, aun cuando tuvieron que luchar para ser escuchadas. A principio de 2017, la postura de la Senadora Elizabeth Warren, al negarse a ser silenciada durante un debate en el Senado, provocó un espontáneo homenaje a todas las mujeres que han perseverado ante la adversidad. En este libro, Chelsea Clinton rinde homenaje a trece mujeres americanas que contribuyeron a forjar los ideales de nuestro país gracias a su tenacidad, a veces alzando sus voces en señal de protesta, otras, optando por no levantarse de su asiento o cautivando al público. Todas ellas persistieron. Ella persistió es para todos los que en alguna ocasión han querido alzar su voz, pero han sido silenciados, para los que han tratado de alcanzar las estrellas, pero les han dicho que es mejor no intentarlo, y para todos aquellos a los que en algún momento los han hecho sentir insignificantes, pequeños, sin importancia. Las vívidas y persuasivas ilustraciones de Alexandra Boiger muestran a los lectores que no importan los obstáculos que encuentren en el camino, nunca deben abandonar sus sueños. Perseverancia es poder.
Ella persistió alrededor del mundo: 13 mujeres que cambiaron la historia
by Chelsea ClintonEn todo el mundo, las mujeres siempre han soñado en grande, aun cuando les han dicho que sus sueños no cuentan. Han alzado sus voces, se han levantado en protesta y han luchado por lo que es justo, a pesar de que, a veces, sus voces han sido silenciadas. Ya sea en las ciencias, las artes, los deportes o como activistas, mujeres y niñas a lo largo de la historia han luchado por romper barreras y cambiar el statu quo. No han permitido que otros se interpongan en su camino, nos han ayudado a entender mejor nuestro mundo y lo que es posible lograr. En este segundo libro, compañero de Ella persistió: 13 mujeres americanas que cambiaron el mundo, Chelsea Clinton presenta al lector a un grupo de trece increíbles mujeres de todo el mundo que han conformado la historia.Ella persistió alrededor del mundo es un libro para todos aquellos que han querido alcanzar las estrellas y les han dicho que no es posible, para todos los que han alzado sus voces y han sido silenciados y para todos los que, en alguna ocasión, se han sentido pequeños, insignificantes, sin importancia. Las vívidas ilustraciones de Alexandra Boiger que acompañan este inspirador texto muestran a los lectores de todas las edades que no importan los obstáculos que encuentren en su camino, pues tienen el poder de perseverar y triunfar.
Ella persistió: Coretta Scott King / She Persisted: Coretta Scott King
by Chelsea Clinton Kelly Starling LyonsInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times Ella persistió de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea. La activista social y líder de los derechos humanos Coretta Scott King inspiró a muchas personas alrededor del mundo con su valentía al promover un cambio. Incluso antes de conocer a su esposo, el reverendo Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta era una líder para su comunidad y continuó siéndolo junto a él y después que fue asesinado. Cantante y escritora, su legado es fundamental para los afroamericanos, las mujeres, y muchos otros hoy y en las generaciones futuras. En este chapter book biográfico de la galardonada autora Kelly Starling Lyons, los lectores aprenden sobre la asombrosa vida de Coretta Scott King y cómo persistió. ¡El libro se completa con una introducción de Chelsea Clinton!
Ella persistió - Diana Taurasi / She Persisted: Diana Taurasi (Ella persistió #Volumen)
by Chelsea ClintonInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times Ella persistió / She Persisted de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea, como Diana Taurasi. Cuando Diana Taurasi era pequeña, el baloncesto femenino profesional no existía en los Estados Unidos. Pero se esforzó mucho para crear oportunidades para sí misma, ganó campeonatos de baloncesto en la universidad, eventualmente jugó para la WNBA con los Phoenix Mercury y también ganó múltiples medallas de oro olímpicas. En este libro biográfico escrito por la galardonada autora Mónica Brown, los lectores aprenderán sobre la increíble vida de Diana Taurasi y cómo ella persistió. ¡El libro incluye una introducción de Chelsea Clinton, ilustraciones en blanco y negro y una lista de maneras en que los lectores pueden seguir los pasos de Diana Taurasi y así marcar la diferencia! ¡Y no te pierdas los demás libros de la serie She Persisted, con muchas más mujeres que persistieron, como Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman, Sonia Sotomayor, Malala Yousafzai y otras más!
Ella persistió en el deporte: Americanas olímpicas que revolucionaron el juego
by Chelsea ClintonA lo largo de la historia, en cada deporte, y en todos los niveles de juego, a las mujeres con aspiraciones en el deporte les han dicho que nunca serían lo suficientemente veloces, fuertes o buenas. En este libro, Chelsea Clinton nos presenta a varias de estas mujeres que han sobresalido en el deporte por su pasión, habilidad y perseverancia. Ella persistió en el deporte es un libro para todos aquellos que se han propuesto alcanzar una meta y les han dicho que no es posible, para todos aquellos que la meta final de una carrera parecía muy lejana y para los que, en alguna ocasión, se han sentido pequeños o insignificantes en el campo de juego.Las expresivas ilustraciones de Alexandra Boiger que acompañan este inspirador texto muestran a los lectores de todas las edades que no importan los obstáculos que encuentren en su camino, pues tienen el poder de perseverar y triunfar. Las mujeres pueden ganar y revolucionar el juego.
Ella persistió en la ciencia: Mujeres brillantes que marcaron la diferencia (She Persisted)
by Chelsea ClintonA STEM-focused addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling She Persisted series! Now available in Spanish!A lo largo de la historia, a las mujeres les han dicho que la ciencia no es para ellas porque no son suficientemente inteligentes, o porque sus cerebros simplemente no son capaces de ese tipo de estudio. En este libro, Chelsea Clinton nos presenta a varias mujeres científicas que no prestaron atención a los que les dijeron que no y optaron por utilizar su ingenio, sus habilidades y su persistencia para descubrir, inventar, crear y explicar. Ella persistió en la ciencia es un libro para todos aquéllos que se han hecho preguntas sobre el mundo que los rodea o sobre cómo funcionan las cosas, y que se niegan a darse por vencidos hasta hallar las respuestas. Las expresivas ilustraciones de Alexandra Boiger que acompañan este inspirador texto muestran a los lectores que todos tenemos el potencial de marcar la diferencia y que las mujeres científicas cambian el mundo.
Ella persistió: Harriet Tubman
by Chelsea Clinton Andrea Davis PinkneyInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times She Persisted de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea. Harriet Tubman, quien nació esclavizada, se convirtió en una de las conductoras más exitosas, más decidida y conocida del Ferrocarril Subterráneo. Con el amor de su familia firmemente plantado en su corazón, Harriet miró a la Estrella del Norte en busca de orientación para escapar, y su luz la ayudó a salir de la esclavitud. Su coraje le permitió ayudar a muchos otros a llegar también a tierra de libertad. En este chapter book biográfico de la galardonada y autora bestseller Andrea Davis Pinkney, los lectores aprenden sobre la asombrosa vida de Harriet Tubman y cómo persistió. ¡El libro se completa con una introducción de Chelsea Clinton!
Ella persistió - Malala Yousafzai / She Persisted: Malala Yousafzai (Ella persistió #Volumen)
by Chelsea Clinton Aisha SaeedInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times Ella persistió / She Persisted de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea, como Malala Yousafzai. Durante su niñez en Pakistán, Malala Yousafzai tuvo que luchar contra muchos obstáculos para poder acceder a una educación. Después de ser atacada por el hecho de pelear por ese derecho, Malala llevó su lucha al escenario mundial, exigiendo el derecho a la educación para todas las niñas, en todas partes del mundo. Su activismo le valió un Premio Nobel de la Paz e inspiró a niñas y mujeres de todo el mundo a defender sus propios derechos también. En este libro biográfico escrito por la autora ganadora de varios premios Aisha Saeed, los lectores aprenderán sobre la increíble vida de Malala Yousafzai y cómo ella persistió. ¡El libro incluye una introducción de Chelsea Clinton, ilustraciones en blanco y negro y una lista de maneras en que los lectores pueden seguir los pasos de Malala Yousafzai y así marcar la diferencia! ¡Y no te pierdas los demás libros de la serie She Persisted, con muchas más mujeres que persistieron, como Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman, Sonia Sotomayor, Diana Taurasi y más!
Ella persistió: Sonia Sotomayor
by Chelsea ClintonInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times Ella persistió / She Persisted de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea. Sonia Sotomayor es la primera jueza latina en la Corte Suprema en la historia de los Estados Unidos, pero su trayectoria no fue fácil. Ella tuvo que superar numerosos obstáculos y desafíos en el camino, como recibir un diagnóstico de diabetes a los siete años. Pero no dejó que eso le impidiera alcanzar su sueño e inspirar a los niños de todo el mundo a trabajar duro y tener fe en sí mismos. En este chapter book biográfico de la galardonada autora Meg Medina, los lectores aprenderán sobre la asombrosa vida de Sonia Sotomayor y cómo persistió. ¡El libro se completa con una introducción de Chelsea Clinton!
Ella persistió: Temple Grandin / She Persisted: Temple Grandin
by Chelsea Clinton Lyn Miller-LachmannInspirado en el bestseller #1 del New York Times Ella persistió de Chelsea Clinton y Alexandra Boiger, llega ahora esta serie en Chapter Books sobre mujeres que sobresalieron, lucharon y se levantaron contra viento y marea. Cuando las vacas, los caballos y otros animales sufrían, Temple Grandin parecía entenderlos mejor que nadie. Temple es autista, y esto determinó que pensara de una manera diferente al resto de las personas; no inferior, solo diferente. Cuando llegó a la edad adulta, se esforzó por explicar cómo el hecho de ser autista influyó en su trabajo y en su vida, ayudando a las personas sin autismo a comprender mejor a las que lo tenían. Temple se convirtió en una científica de renombre mundial, experta en comportamiento animal, y ha utilizado su forma de ver el mundo para inventar y lograr grandes cosas, siempre ayudando a otros en el camino. En este libro biográfico de la galardonada autora Lyn Miller-Lachmann, los lectores aprenden sobre la asombrosa vida de Temple Grandin y cómo persistió. ¡El libro se completa con una introducción de Chelsea Clinton!
elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself
by Elle MacphersonA revealing account of Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson&’s extraordinary life of celebrity under pressure of relentless perfectionism and trauma of addiction. Elle shares her hard-earned, well-learned insights and understandings, empowering us all to discover our own uniqueness and life purpose.In the dazzling world of fashion, Elle Macpherson is synonymous with elegance and timeless beauty. Her inimitable, &‘give-it-a-go&’ spirit underpins all her achievements as an iconic supermodel, businesswoman, and wellness advocate—a remarkable career concealing profound inner challenges. A powerful journey of personal transformation and a meditation on public image, self-image, and the meaning of real beauty, Elle peels back decades of curated perfection to share rare wisdom and intimate, messy realness from life in the limelight, including: Elle&’s early life-lessons as a teenager modeling in 1980s New York building a remarkable career with professionalism, strong values, real results and her breakthrough opportunity with Sports Illustrated A meteoric rise to fame as a runway model for iconic designers like Azzedine Alaïa and Calvin Klein and actress in Hollywood films like Sirens and Batman & Robin Nuanced reflections on relationships, divorces and the delights of raising her two sons. Previously undisclosed traumas with addiction, burnout, overall mental, emotional, and physical health—and the startling realization that gave her life new meaning This open-hearted book reveals the authentic journey of personal transformation that empowered Elle to prevail over adversities, illness and inner conflicts. Told with Elle&’s irrepressible humor and honesty, elle offers a wise perspective on resilience, recovery, self-trust and authentic love that empowers readers to value their own uniqueness, embrace life, and love unconditionally.
Elle a osé réussir: Biographie de l'honorable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin (Biographies et mémoires #13)
by Fred LanganElle a osé réussir (in English, She Dared to Succeed), delves into the life of a woman who, for more than 30 years, broke multiple glass ceilings in the Canadian media and political worlds. Well-known in the broadcasting industry, she was propelled to the political forefront following her appointment to the Senate of Canada (1995) and her election as President of the Liberal Party of Canada (2006). She had to overcome many challenges throughout her career: sexism, prejudice against single mothers and career women, wage disparities, and harassment in the workplace. Above all, she experienced the opprobrium reserved for Senate members—all of whom were exonerated—targeted as part of the Senate expenses scandal (2012-2016). In this book, she bears witness to the human cost of this chapter of Canadian history. This biography, with a foreword by the Hon. John Manley, is the fruit of impressive research by the author, who not only interviewed Madame Charette-Poulin at length, but also conducted 67 interviews, including with prominent Canadians such as Right Honourable Jean Chrétien and Brian Mulroney, the Honourable Sheila Copps, Sharon Carstairs, Mike Duffy, Hugh Segal, Céline Hervieux-Payette, Vivienne Poy, Linda Frum, Sheila Fraser, as well as judges Robert Desmarais, and Robert Del Frate. She dared to succeed... despite it all.Also available in English (She Dared To Succeed)Available in hardcover, trade paperback, and accessible PDF et ePUB formats.
Elle & Coach: Diabetes, the Fight for My Daughter's Life, and the Dog Who Changed Everything
by Mark Dagostino Stefany Shaheen<P>Elle & Coach is the true story of a Type-A mom struggling to care for a daughter who has Type 1 diabetes and of the incredible service dog who changes their lives for the better. <P>Stefany Shaheen tries everything to manage her daughter Elle's deadly and unpredictable disease. Overcoming the skepticism that a dog can provide answers that medical science is still seeking, the family finds a resounding sense of peace and reassurance through Coach's near miraculous abilities as a medic-alert dog, specially trained to detect dangerous changes in blood sugar levels. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Ellen Browning Scripps: New Money and American Philanthropy
by Molly McClainMolly McClain tells the remarkable story of Ellen Browning Scripps (1836–1932), an American newspaperwoman, feminist, suffragist, abolitionist, and social reformer who used her fortune to support women’s education, the labor movement, and public access to science, the arts, and education. Born in London, Scripps grew up in rural poverty on the Illinois prairie. She went from rags to riches, living out that cherished American story in which people pull themselves up by their bootstraps with audacity, hard work, and luck. She and her brother E.W. Scripps built America’s largest chain of newspapers, linking Midwestern industrial cities with booming towns in the West. Less well known today than the papers started by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, Scripps newspapers transformed their owners into millionaires almost overnight. By the 1920s Scripps was worth an estimated $30 million, most of which she gave away. She established the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, and appeared on the cover of Time magazine after founding Scripps College in Claremont, California. She also provided major financial support to organizations worldwide that promised to advance democratic principles and public education. In Ellen Browning Scripps McClain brings to life an extraordinary woman who played a vital role in the history of women, California, and the American West.
Ellen Ochoa (Hispanic Star)
by Claudia Romo Edelman Nathalie AlonsoRead about the first Latina in space, Ellen Ochoa, one of the most groundbreaking, iconic Hispanic and Latinx heroes that have shaped our culture and the world, in this gripping biography written by Claudia Romo Edelman and Nathalie Alonso, with black-and-white illustrations by Manuel Gutierrez, perfect for fans of the Who Was and She Persisted series. <p><p> Meet award-winning engineer and veteran astronaut Ellen Ochoa—once just a girl from Los Angeles, California. The granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, Ellen would pursue a career in physics at a young age and go on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. In 1993, Ellen became the first Latina in space. As a retired astronaut, she became the first Hispanic and second female director of the Johnson Space Center, has been an advocate for women and minorities in STEM fields, and was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Ellen Ochoa: Astronaut and Inventor
by Anne SchraffExplores the life of Ellen Ochoa from her childhood in California to her missions in space. On April 6, 1993, Ellen Ochoa, a mission specialist, sat in the space shuttle DISCOVERY, waiting for liftoff. As the launch pad rumbled and the engines ignited, the DISCOVERY exploded upward into the sky. With this space shuttle launch, Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to enter space. A brilliant inventor and an experienced astronaut, Ochoa quickly moved up the ranks at NASA and toured schools throughout the country, encouraging students to follow their dreams.