Born: 1963 (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Biography:
Heidemarie Martha Stefanyshyn-Piper was born on February 7, 1963, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is of Ukrainian-American heritage, with her father, Michael Stefanyshyn, being born in Polish-governed Halychyna (now in Ukraine). During World War II, her father was sent to work in Germany, where he met and married a German woman. After the war, they both immigrated to the United States.
Growing up in the Ukrainian cultural community of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Stefanyshyn-Piper was immersed in her Ukrainian roots. She became a member of Plast, a Ukrainian scouting organization, and learned to speak Ukrainian. Education played a vital role in her life, and she graduated from Derham Hall High School in St. Paul in 1980. She then pursued her passion for engineering at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 1984 and followed it up with a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1985.
Stefanyshyn-Piper’s career in the military began after receiving her commission from the Naval ROTC Program at MIT in June 1985. She underwent training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida, becoming a Navy Basic Diving Officer and Salvage Officer. As part of her salvage tour, she played a vital role in the de-stranding of the tanker Exxon Houston off the coast of Barbers Point, Hawaii.
Her contributions in the military earned her several honors and awards. Throughout her career, Stefanyshyn-Piper received the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, and numerous other service medals. By July 2009, she had achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Navy.
In April 1996, Stefanyshyn-Piper was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA. This marked the beginning of her career as a NASA astronaut, and she reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 for two years of intensive training. Her dedication and perseverance paid off when she was assigned to two Space Shuttle missions, STS-115 and STS-126.
During her missions, Stefanyshyn-Piper completed five spacewalks, amassing an impressive total of 33 hours and 42 minutes spent in outer space. Her contributions to space exploration and her skills as an astronaut earned her a place on the list of the all-time top spacewalkers by duration.
Stefanyshyn-Piper’s achievements go beyond her impressive career as an astronaut. She has served as a role model, particularly for women in the field of science and engineering. Her determination, intelligence, and passion for her work have inspired countless individuals and have paved the way for more women to pursue careers in STEM.
Awards:
– Meritorious Service Medal
– 2 Navy Commendation Medals
– 2 Navy Achievement Medals