Ellen Ochoa

Born in California to Mexican-American parents, Ellen Ochoa's origins are firmly rooted in the American Southwest, not the shtetl. Her journey into the cosmos was a triumph of intellect and determination, but not, alas, of ancient Hebrew lineage. She is a scientist, an engineer, and an astronaut, with no known ties to Judaism.

After her pioneering space flight, Ochoa continued to ascend, eventually becoming the director of the Johnson Space Center. While not exactly Moses leading his people, guiding NASA's human spaceflight operations is certainly a feat of leadership. She holds multiple patents and has numerous schools named after her, cementing her legacy as an inspirational figure.

Despite her stellar achievements and clear aptitude for breaking barriers, there is no indication that Ochoa has ever identified as Jewish or participated in Jewish communal life. Her accomplishments, while remarkable, are not ones that typically get discussed at temple functions unless someone is trying to make a very tenuous point about STEM careers.