Friday, January 28, 2011

Remembering Our Challenger Heroes and Their Families



Moonwalk by Andy Warhol


In 1988, one of the most moving moments in my life was meeting June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D., Jane Smith Wolcott, Charles Resnik, M.D., Lorna Onizuka, Cheryl McNair, Steven McAuliffe, and Marcia Jarvis-Tinsley. They asked me to Chair the first Challenger Center Benefit Concert. For our mission’s success, June Scobee Rodgers gave me a pair of Dick’s flight gloves and Jane Smith Wolcott a magic wand that Mike and her family treasured.  

The families of our fallen heroes wanted to create a living legacy to honor their loved ones. After thoughtful consideration, they decided to create what has become a network Challenger Learning Centers, focusing on space science technology and the future of space exploration. There are now 47 Challenger Learning Centers across the world.


The first Benefit Concert raised $250,000 establishing the first Challenger Learning Center at the Museum of Natural Science, Houston. We were fortunate that entertainers Melba Moore, Gary Morris, Brooke Shields, Steve Wariner, Pia Zadora, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Brandy Brown, the Houston Pops Orchestra, and The Children’s Choir donated their talents to help us accomplish our goal.


Americans are known for our willingness to take great risks for great rewards- to reach beyond ourselves and to strive for innovation and growth. In other words, we "inspire, explore and learn."


Carolyn Farb and The Fabulous Thunderbirds





Moonwalk by Andy Warhol, 1987
Courtesy of Govinda Gallery/
Christopher Murray
Washington, D.C.