Colonel Eileen Collins spoke at East Carolina University's Wright Auditorium Tuesday night to students and others about leadership and lessons learned in her career. We spoke with students in the crowd who told us Collins is their hero, and they hope to follow in her footsteps. Collins says she had obstacles, but was able to overcome them.
"My family had been on welfare. My family had been on food stamps. We lived in government subsidized housing for six years. I didn't come from a privileged lifestyle. So no matter what lifestyle you come from, you can do these sorts of things," said Retired Space Shuttle Commander Col. Eileen Collins.
Collins went to the Air Force pilot school and flew four space flights including the Discovery in 1995. She has received several honors including a distinguished flying cross and the national space trophy.
