“I supported Department of Defense projects, Veterans Affairs projects, and then I was contacted about the position that I currently hold at NASA. Of course, this is when the ‘Hidden Figures‘ book and movie were taking off, so there was a lot of coverage about NASA, specifically about the Langley Center. So, being an African-American woman, I was extremely proud that this was going on in my backyard. I had no idea that I lived so close to history.
“I wasn’t really into space or anything when I was younger, but learning about the Hidden Figures and finding out that we actually had a center here [in Virginia], it really peaked my interest and I just started learning all about it. And when I first started at NASA, it turns out that my station was in the hanger, which was one of the buildings the Hidden Figures worked in. You wouldn’t think that I’ve only been here for a little over 3 years now. I feel like I live and breathe NASA now.
“I am really made to feel like I am part of a family. I don’t feel like anybody is treated differently. We are all one team. To be a part of NASA, to me, is to be part of something special. There is nothing like the camaraderie of NASA. I feel like I’m where I belong.”
— April Albert, Schedule Analyst, Langley Research Center
Image Credit: NASA / Mark Knopp
Interviewer: NASA / Thalia Patrinos