Saloni Shankar
“My parents had a lot of problems,” Eileen Collins admits, reflecting on her early years in Elmira, N.Y. Her parents separated when she was nine, but she emphasises, “I had a great relationship with them.”
Eileen Collins on Overcoming Childhood Challenges
Her father, James, struggled with alcoholism. “He tried to quit over and over again, but he never could,” Collins recalls. Her mother offered perspective, often saying, “Your father has a disease. You need to treat it that way.”
Watching her parents persevere taught her critical lessons. “I learned problem-solving by watching them deal with their struggles,” she says. “It gave me the resilience to push forward.”
Learning to Work with Men Through Her Father’s Wisdom
Collins credits her father’s late-night conversations for giving her an edge. “He would stay up late, putting the beers down, and talk about everything,” she remembers. “He did all the talking, but I listened.”
Those talks helped her understand men’s perspectives. “When I joined the military, I felt comfortable working with men because I knew how they thought,” Collins explains.
Her ability to adapt became a strength. “You try to be one of the guys, but you’re not,” she notes. “It’s hard to describe, but I enjoyed working with them.”
A Trailblazing Career with Parental Support
“When I told my dad the Air Force would pay for my tuition, he didn’t say no,” Collins recalls. She joined in 1978 as one of four women in a class of 500 pilots.
Initially hesitant, her father grew supportive. “Eventually, my parents were very proud and watched my launches,” she shares.
Reflecting on her career, Collins says, “I never felt intimidated working with men. If anything, I think my presence shook things up in a good way.” Her story is now featured in Spacewoman, available for streaming until Dec. 1.
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