Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Caples McDougle.
Hi Sharon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Sharon Caples McDougle. I’m the founder/CEO of Suit Up with Shay where I provide education and outreach through author visits and speaking engagements. I have written and self-published three children’s books titled Suit Up for Launch with Shay!, Suit Up to Dive with Shay!, and All Black Girls. My books and other products can be purchased on my website www.sharoncaplesmcdougle.com. You can also book me for your events on my website.
I am regarded as a “modern day hidden figure”. I joined the NASA family working in the Space Shuttle Crew Escape Equipment (CEE) department. I began my career as a CEE Suit Technician responsible for processing the orange launch/entry suit assemblies worn by astronauts and was the first African American technician.
I was the first woman and first black CEE Crew Chief. I had the honor of leading the first and only all-woman suit tech crew. I would go on to become the only woman and only black manager of the CEE department and held this position until the Space Shuttle Program ended, ending my 22-year career.
I’m also an Air Force veteran and served as an Aerospace Physiology Specialist responsible for training, suiting up, and strapping-in the SR-71 Blackbird and U-2 reconnaissance aircraft pilots for high altitude operations. I worked with the hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers and received my training at the School of Aerospace Medicine. I joined the Air Force after graduating high school and separated after 7+ years of service.
I am happily married to my husband Maronald, and we have two adult children, Dominique, and Corbin, and two beautiful grandsons, Landon and Sage. My husband and I are natives of Moss Point, MS, and have been
Houston, TX area residents for 30+ years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
On my journey, I definitely hit some bumps in the road. The first was losing both my parents by the time I was 8 years old. I had to grow up really fast and take on a lot of responsibilities. I made it through a less-than-ideal childhood and joined the Air Force after graduating high school. Another big bump in the road was when I decided to separate from the Air Force without having a plan for what I was going to do. I struggled for six months working 3 part-time jobs and sleeping on my friend’s futon. Just when I was about to re-enlist in the Air Force, I received a call that would change my life forever. A call from a friend who served in the Air force with me about an opportunity to work with the Space Program. And the rest is herstory!
We’ve been impressed with Suit Up with Shay, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder/CEO of Suit Up with Shay. My business provides education and outreach through author visits and speaking engagements. I started Suit Up with Shay after writing my first book. I am known for fun, engaging readings and lively, energetic speaking engagements for kids and adults alike. I do book readings, book signings, keynote speaking, fireside chats, and participate on panels.
I have written and self-published three children’s books:
1) Suit Up for Launch with Shay! – Shay learns about the orange spacesuit astronauts wear when they launch into space and return back to earth. This book is written in a mother/daughter conversation style. Readers will learn why the suit is orange, what it’s made of, how long it takes to put it on, how they go to the bathroom in it, among many other things. *Illustrated by Cristielle Pimenta. I worked with this suit for 22 years with the space shuttle program and 7 years in the Air Force.
2) Suit Up to Dive with Shay! – Shay learns about what scuba divers wear while working with the astronauts in the big pool where the astronauts train for their spacewalks. *Illustrated by Cristielle Pimenta. My husband Maronald McDougle is a scuba diver with NASA and is the subject matter expert for this book.
3) All Black Girls – This book is filled with loving affirmations for all black girls to let them know they are beautiful intelligent, strong, loved, and that they can do and be anything. It’s written in a military cadence, call-and-response style.*Illustrated by Roderick Jesse.
My books and other merchandise can be purchased on my website www.sharoncaplesmcdougle.com. You can also book me to share my inspirational journey and/or read my book(s) for your events on my website. Book Shay Today!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to those who are just getting started is to connect with people who are doing what you want to do. There is nothing like picking the brain of someone who has already done or is currently doing what you want to do. Ask those who are in a position to do so, to be your mentor and/or sponsor. There is nothing wrong with learning from the best and getting a leg up on others.
Don’t be afraid to fail. When you fail, it shows that at least you tried. And hopefully, you will learn something from it to do better the next time.
Pricing:
- Speaker fee – starts at $5000
- Author visit – starts at $800
- Suit Up for Launch with Shay! book – $15
- Suit Up to Dive with Shay! book – $15
- All Black Girls book – $10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sharoncaplesmcdougle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suitupforlaunchwithshay/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SharonMcDougleHiddenFigure/ and https://m.facebook.com/SuitUpForLaunch/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-caples-mcdougle-237465bb/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcdougle_sharon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g5rjNOPjeM6XRffCTusgw
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@suitupforlaunchwithshay
- Soundcloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jjpJFAgNQU
- Other: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Caples_McDougle
