Shirley Maiewski: A Tribute
Continuing a tribute for Shirley Maiewski, long time head of STAR TREK WELCOMMITTEE who passed away in April, 2004. The entry page to Shirley Maiewski: A Tribute
Part of A Companion in Zeor
Remembrances, for inclusion, can be e-mailed to Karen MacLEOD
TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY MAIEWSKI
by Dr. David A. Williams
As a child growing up in the American Midwest in the 1970s, I was
drawn to the syndicated television show "Star Trek," which was
usually on weekdays after school. Watching that show daily from
1971-1979 (as well as the animated Star Trek series on Saturday
mornings), I became fascinated (pun intended) by this interacial crew
of explorers boldly exploring the galaxy and at the same time
exploring themselves and the nature of the human condition.
Needless
to say, Star Trek had a profound impact on me, and inspired me to
pursue a career in planetary science (I am now a planetary geologist
on faculty at Arizona State University where I have participated in
the NASA Magellan Mission to Venus, the NASA Galileo Mission to
Jupiter, and the ESA Mars Express orbiter mission). It was during my
formative teenage years that I heard of the Star Trek Welcommittee
and the work of Shirley Maiewski and others to introduce new people
to the growing phenomenon of "Star Trek."
I remember thinking at the
time that if a group of adults formed an organization like the Star
Trek Welcommittee to promote fandom for the show, then I must not be
crazy in enjoying the show so much! Many of my scientist colleagues
over the years have enjoyed Star Trek in its many incarnations, and I
know that many individuals have been motivated to become doctors,
scientists, engineers, and military officers at least in part from
watching Star Trek. It has become an American icon that exemplifies
the best that humanity can be, and this is in part due to the great
work promoting the show by individuals like Shirley Maiewski.
In
tribute to her I offer this statement: May the best ideals of "Star
Trek" continue to inspire people from now into the 23rd century and
beyond!
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This Acrobat PDF file
contains an interesting article about the influence of Star Trek in shaping Dr. Williams' future. It was featured in the 'Fan Focus' section of the "Star Trek
Communicator" (Official Fan Club Magazine) that was published last
fall (2003) in issue #146. "Star Trek Communicator" is edited by Larry Nemecek. This file was supplied to us, at Jacqueline's request, by Dr. Williams.
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A brief biography, with a photograph of
Dr. David A. Williams
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