Celebrating a Trailblazer
Photo courtesy of Wilmar Gálvez Alfonso
This past month, the Foundation had the opportunity to talk to Wilmar A. Gálvez Alfonso, a 2024 Cooke College Scholar attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Wilmar recently attended the Young Latinos in the Space Industry event at the White House, celebrating her achievements and inspiring others in the aerospace industry. As a Puerto Rican woman pursuing a career in STEM, she embodies resilience and ambition, paving the way for future generations.
The event at the White House was a pinnacle moment for Wilmar. She was invited by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, an organization focused on providing equitable opportunities for students from Hispanic backgrounds. During the event, she had the chance to moderate a panel featuring two Latino NASA astronauts, Marcos Berrios and Frank Rubio. For someone who dreams of becoming an astronaut, Wilmar said this experience was nothing short of surreal.
“They are astronauts that I have seen since I was younger and hearing their inspiring stories in person was absolutely so amazing,” Wilmar said.
During the panel, in addition to hearing stories from some of her childhood heroes, Wilmar shared her passion for the aerospace industry – an experience that allowed her to empower other students with similar backgrounds and goals.
“If it’s something as crazy sounding as wanting to become an astronaut, then so be it,” Wilmar said. “Just work hard for it and continue on that journey even if it gets hard.”
The Importance of Representation in STEM
Being a Puerto Rican woman in STEM comes with unique challenges and responsibilities, according to Wilmar. She reflected on her experiences at Embry-Riddle, where women make up only about 25-30 percent of the student body. Initially daunting, this male-dominated environment highlighted the ongoing need for initiatives that support women in engineering and aerospace.
“As a woman in this field, I feel a deep responsibility to inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of the challenges we may face,” she emphasized.
Through her social media presence – Wilmar has a Facebook and Instagram page entitled, “Reaching for the Stars,” – she aims to inspire more young women to pursue careers in aerospace. She wants them to know that with perseverance and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of gender or background.
Wilmar performs a piano piece at the Cooke Foundation’s 2024 Scholars Weekend.
As a Cooke Scholar, Wilmar feels an immense privilege and responsibility that comes with the scholarship. For her, being a part of the Cooke Scholar community means being a role model for others, particularly students from Puerto Rico, where access to resources and opportunities can be limited. In fact, Wilmar is one of only four Cooke Scholars from Puerto Rico.
Her journey emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and seeking opportunities beyond local confines. She is determined to graduate with a degree in aerospace engineering and aims for a future career at NASA or in the private aerospace sector, ultimately aspiring to become an astronaut.
Wilmar’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the need to foster inclusive environments in STEM. By sharing her journey, she hopes to ignite the same passion in others, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with determination and courage.
As she continues her studies and grows her social media platform, Wilmar’s message remains steadfast: every student, especially those from underrepresented communities, deserves to see themselves in these roles. Through her efforts, she is not only reaching for the stars herself but helping others to do the same. Wilmar’s journey reminds us that the sky is not the limit – it’s just the beginning.