Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Did you see the lunar eclipse last night? I have a confession: The celestial event absolutely freaked me out as a kid. I’m talking full-blown meltdown mode, complete with inconsolable crying, fervent prayers of childhood confessions, the works. See, I assumed—with all the glory of my six-year-old brain power—that each “Blood Moon” was a sign of the times… not a naturally, normally occurring spectacle. That scared me half to death at the time, though I’m thankful to report I have a much healthier view of things now. 

That said, I’m still not a huge fan of the night sky. It’s too big, too vast, and too unpredictable for my liking. But my boy loves it. He’s absolutely fascinated with all things space—black holes, spaghettification, stars, planets, the sun, the moon, you name it—so I keep my opinions to myself and choose to enjoy looking upward with him. Besides, this is my 31st time around the sun, and it’s merely his seventh. There’s a lot to explore and so much wonder to behold—and I’m so glad you’re here to enjoy it, too. 

Here’s what you need to know: This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating pioneering women who made history with their scientific achievements. From the first Indian woman in space to the “Hidden Figures” of NASA, these extraordinary women made significant contributions to astronomy and beyond.

Our shining stars:

• We can’t talk about astronomy, the final frontier, and the women who broke barriers here without acknowledging the contributions of Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Katherine Johnson. The mathematicians featured in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures were known as “human computers”—they completed the orbital calculations needed to successfully navigate America’s first trip to space.

• According to Space.com, astronomer Dr. Nancy Grace Roman was “the first chief of astronomy in the Office of Space Science at NASA Headquarters, and the first woman to hold an executive position at the space agency.” Her most notable achievement was championing and managing the now-famous Hubble Telescope, which affectionately earned her the nickname “Mother of Hubble.”

• In 1997, Dr. Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian woman in space. She was an operator for the remote manipulator arm on the Columbia space shuttle, according to the Association for Women in Science. Chawla returned to the Columbia in 2003 during the flight’s fatal mission that tragically killed her and the other six crew members on board. 

Curious to learn more about their lives and careers? We’re delving into the stories of seven women who dared to boldly go where no Virginia woman had gone before (note the epically placed Star Trek reference). 

Question of the Week: What is your favorite celestial event you’ve ever seen, and where were you when you observed it? Let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com.

The graves of African American tenant farmers at Oak Hill Plantation in Pittsylvania County are being relocated to make way for an industrial complex. Oak Hill was once part of the Hairston family’s plantation empire, where hundreds were enslaved. After emancipation, many remained as tenant farmers, with a multitude of their burial sites being neglected and unmarked.

The relocation of approximately 275 graves has sparked mixed reactions. Some see it as a chance for proper burials, with $1.8 million allocated for headstones and identification efforts. This also offers descendants the opportunity to visit their ancestors at a respectful site.

Others oppose the move, fearing it disrespects the deceased and exploits the community’s history. While this controversy highlights broader issues of neglected Black cemeteries in Virginia, the industrial park project is moving forward.

• While Virginia Democrats are fighting to get relief to fired federal contractors, some state Republicans think they should just suck it up and deal with being fired unexpectedly by the Trump Administration (READ MORE HERE).

• Eliminating the US Department of Education could devastate funding for low-income schools, special education, and equitable learning opportunities. We’ve got the details you need to know (READ MORE HERE).

• Need a little levity? If you’ve been falling asleep at your desk this week because of Daylight Saving Time, you aren’t the only one! Feel free to share this fun reel to your story to commiserate with us (WATCH HERE). 

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