Carolyn Huntoon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn Huntoon
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Huntoon in 1994
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Carolyn Leach
August 25, 1940 Leesville, Louisiana, United States
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| Occupation | Scientist |
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| Spouse(s) | Harrison Hibbert Huntoon |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Buddy Leach (brother) |
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Carolyn Leach Huntoon, born on August 25, 1940, is an American scientist and a former government leader. She made history as the first woman to direct the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, from 1994 to 1996. Later, she served as an assistant secretary for the Department of Energy from 1999 to 2001.
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Meet Carolyn Huntoon
Growing Up and Learning
Carolyn Leach was born in Leesville, Louisiana, on August 25, 1940. She grew up with four sisters and an older brother, Buddy Leach, who became a politician. Carolyn graduated from Leesville High School in 1958.
She then went to Northwestern State College in Louisiana. In 1962, she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. She also became a medical technologist, someone who performs lab tests to help doctors.
Carolyn continued her studies at Baylor College of Medicine. She earned her Master of Science (MS) degree in 1966 and her PhD in 1968. For her master's work, she studied a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone helps control salt and water in the body. This was important for National Air and Space Administration (NASA). Astronauts often had problems with body fluids during spaceflight. After her PhD, she joined NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. She studied how astronauts' bodies changed after returning from space.
Her Time at NASA
Carolyn Huntoon officially joined NASA in 1970. She led the Endocrine Laboratory, which tested astronauts before and after their flights. This included astronauts from the Project Apollo missions to the Moon. During the Project Skylab missions, some of her own experiments were even carried out in space. She married Harrison Hibbert Huntoon, and they had a daughter named Sally Ann.
In 1974, Carolyn became the head of the Endocrine and Biochemistry Laboratories. The Manned Spacecraft Center was renamed the Johnson Space Center in 1973. By 1977, she was the chief of the Biomedical Laboratories Branch. She also worked as a consultant for various organizations, including the US Navy and universities.
Helping Women Join Space
In 1978, Carolyn Huntoon was part of a special group. They selected the first women astronauts for NASA. Six women were chosen, which doubled the number of women in technical jobs at the Johnson Space Center. As a senior woman at NASA, Carolyn became a role model. She helped prepare the center for women astronauts. She also served on other astronaut selection panels until 1994. She hoped more women would be chosen, but the Astronaut Office remained mostly male for a long time.
Leading Through Challenges
From 1984 to 1987, Carolyn was an Associate Director. During this time, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster happened. It was a very difficult time for NASA. Carolyn helped keep things steady during this period. In 1987, she became the Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate. She was in charge of over 1,200 scientists, engineers, and doctors. Her team developed equipment for living in space, like food and medical supplies. They also studied how space travel affected humans.
In 1994, Carolyn Huntoon made history. She became the director of the Johnson Space Center. She was the first woman ever to lead any NASA center! In this role, she managed 15,000 people. They supported 13 successful Space Shuttle missions. They also worked on developing what is now the International Space Station. From 1996 to 1998, she worked in Washington, D.C., representing NASA.
Working for the Government
Carolyn Huntoon left NASA in 1998. She joined George Washington University for a short time. The next year, President Bill Clinton nominated her for a new role. She became the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management.
In this important job, she oversaw the cleanup of nuclear weapons sites across the United States. These were 113 sites in 30 states! She also managed several DOE offices. After the 2000 presidential election, President George W. Bush asked her to stay on for a while. She agreed to help until a new person was found. Carolyn retired in the summer of 2001. She moved to Barrington, Rhode Island. Her husband passed away in April 2021.
Awards and Honors
Carolyn Huntoon has received many awards for her amazing work:
- In 1974, she earned the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal.
- In 1985, she received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
- In 1989, she was awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.
- In 1992, she received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
- In 1994, she earned the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive.
- In 2003, she was added to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.
- In 2014, Women in Aerospace gave her a lifetime achievement award. This was for her leadership at NASA and the Department of Energy. It also recognized her scientific contributions and her support for astronauts.
