https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/c4c4555d-cb21-4a32-9596-70326443083b An UNUSUAL space program worker interview recorded in 2002 but just now published here for the first time anywhere. In discussing her work on the space program, Shirley touches on the seldom discussed discrimination against women and African Americans in the space program and the Cape Canaveral (Brevard County) area in general during the 1960s and beyond. This included segregated bars, restrooms, and schools. (Think of the 2016 movie "Hidden Figures".) She also describes Titusville and Cocoa Beach Florida during that time period as well as the impact of post Apollo layoffs. Shirley tells stories about her work for several ground support contractors during the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. Don't miss her story about astronaut Gus Grissom! One day Gus came charging out of the altitude chamber area wearing long johns and stomping down the hall yelling at the top of his lungs that "The spacecraft was a piece of junk!". She also talks about the aftermath of the Apollo 1 fire when Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White, and Roger B. Chaffee lost their lives in a flash fire aboard their spacecraft during a ground test on the launch pad. Shirley discusses the changes she witnessed in women and minority hiring practices during her career. She was one of the first 2 female warehousemen at the cape. While a Component Specialist working in a tool crib (normally a man's job), she had to push for equal rights. She later moved up to better positions including Procurement Buyer, Subcontract Administrator, Procurement Manager, and finally Small Business Administrator. Shirley also served on the Minority Business Council. Her husband Wayne also worked in the space program. Although he was laid off for a time, she was never without a job. She just moved from company to company when new contracts were awarded. SORRY: Some frustrating mic noise. We suspect she may have been holding the mic. In some spots the mic was blocked and the sound is very low but these are of short duration. Too bad the sound was not monitored during recording. Shirley's Employers... Arrived in Titusville Jan 1966 (when Barna avenue was only 3 blocks long!), Bendix May 1966 to 1977, BSI (Boeing) 1977 to 1983 or 84, EG&G 1983 or 84 to retirement in 1990 (She gives a little background on the company name.), An ORIGINAL production of The American Space Museum, Titusville, FL. Part of our original 2001 "Space Workers Oral History" Project. Interview by Dr. Lori C. Walters on Nov 1, 2002 in Titusville, FL. IT Manager, Technical Support, Editor: Bruce Landon Jacobs COPYRIGHT: 2002, 2022 American Space Museum and U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation Mirrored from YouTube: https://youtu.be/oCTCIbj1EQg Original channel: American Space Museum Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:53:22 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/ec5edb1e-3795-4978-be4f-c67e98fbc992.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/c4c4555d-cb21-4a32-9596-70326443083b All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.