Celebrating Black History Month: Michael Langley first Black four-star general in USMC

Michael Langley, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, became the first black four-star general in the United States Marine Corps in history.

He graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in information systems analysis.  He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines.  Since then he has served in Afghanistan, served as commander of the US Marine Forces-Europe and Africa, deputy commander of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.

In June 2022, Langley was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of the US Africa Command, and was confirmed by the Senate in August 2022, making him the first black 4-star general in the 246-year history of the USMC.

Kalpana Chawla, Space Shuttle astronaut, born 1962

Kalpana Chawla, born March 19, 1962 in India, was the first female Indian astronaut.  Her official birth date was changed to July 1, 1961 so she could become eligible for the "matriculation exam", which is why I have a blog post also celebrating her "new" birth date.  After obtaining her Bachelor's, she moved to the US and completed her Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Her first trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-87) as mission specialist in November-December 1997.  The mission continued experiments with the Microgravity Laboratory program.

Her second trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-107) as mission specialist in January-February 2003.  Unfortunately, the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry and broke up over north Texas, killing all crew members.

Chawla is remembered in a number of ways.  An asteroid has been named after her, as one of seven named after the Columbia's crew.  A studen apartment complex at Florida Institute of Technology here in Melbourne is named for her.  UTA opened a dorm named in her honor in 2004.

Celebrating Pride Month - Lupe Valdez, first gay Texas sheriff

Lupe Valdez, born October 11, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, is the first openly gay person to be elected sheriff in the state of Texas.  She earned a BS in Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma(!) and a Master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Texas at Arlington.

She announced her candidacy for sheriff of Dallas County in January 2004 and won the election with the backing of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.  She was sworn in January 2005.  Valdez has been re-elected for three more terms.  In December 2017, she announced her candidacy for Governor of Texas.