From Small Town TX to Footprints on the Moon

<p>“Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” - Paul Brandt</p> <p>You must stand up for what you believe in, be the change you want to see, and keep on encouraging yourself to rise above no matter what.</p> <p>In this segment, TaNia Donatto shares her story to inspire others from similar backgrounds and with similar interests. Her love for STEAM vs. STEM, passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, tapping into Hidden Figures and spreading empowerment, debunking myths, and challenging the status quos.</p> <p>GEMS - Go for it because the worse they can say is NO and if you want something done well do it yourself</p> <p>See video component - https://youtu.be/6QjH6b6_gz4</p> <p><strong>WHO IS TANIA?</strong></p> <p>TaNia Donatto is a junior at Stanford University from Southeast Texas, and she is majoring in Materials Science and Engineering with the goal of focusing on aerospace industry applications. She is a 2021 Brooke Owens Fellow, having interned at SpaceX this previous summer and will be returning next summer. At Stanford, she is as part of the Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI) on the Satellites, Mars, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams. Additionally, she is an undergraduate researcher in Stanford’s Extreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory, or XLab. Beyond space-related activities, she participates in the Stanford Axe Committee, the Black Recruitment and Orientation Committee’s Big Sib/Lil’ Sib Program and has danced to sold out audiences with the Chocolate Heads Movement Band. Outside of school, she has served as a mentor for The Champion Project, mentoring high school students through the college admissions process. She also loves to write and perform poetry, having multiple publications online and in print.</p> <p><strong>TANIA'S CALL TO ACTION<br> </strong>- Combatting imposter syndrome</p> <p>- Encouraging people, especially women and women of color in STEM to pursue their passions</p> <p>- Providing support and mentorship when you are able</p> <p>- Chec