Born:
May 10, 1958
Ellen
was born in Los Angeles, CA, but she considers Le Masa, CA her home.
Ellen's father left her home when she was in Junior High. Even though
Ellen's mother, Rosanne, found herself raising five children, she
stressed the importance of a college education and taught her children
that they could succeed with hard work and perseverence. Ellen was
a very good student, especially in Math and she loved to play the
flute.
Ochoa
earned three degrees and performed as an award-winning flutist from
1975 to 1985. She became an astronaut in 1985 and became the first
Hispanic woman to be selected for the competitive astronaut corp.
By the end of 1999 Ellen had spent almost 720 hours in space and had
flown in three space missions. She once said that she liked becoming
an astronaut because she had to keep learning new things.
Ellen
likes to talk to students and share her love of science and math.
She often tells students that her mother was a very good role model
and she tries to be a good role model to her young son. Ellen Ocha
believes that, "Education is what allows you to stand out."
Learn
more about Ellen Ochoia at the following websites: