Screening and Conversation: Ground Control to Madame Mars: The Future of Diversity in Space

In celebration of this year’s Women’s History Month, the U.S. Department of State, American Film Showcase, the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt and DAZ Stuttgart proudly present the exclusive screening of the documentary film Madame Mars: Women and the Quest for Worlds Beyond (32 min) followed by an online discussion with the filmmaker Jan Millsapps and the German astrophysicist Dr. Suzanna Randall. 

The documentary is part of a comprehensive project that reframes the story of space exploration as a feminist issue, connecting the original space age that denied opportunities to women, to current Mars initiatives that still lack a full commitment to diversity. How can we ensure that women play integrated roles as high-profile astronauts, cosmonauts, and taikonauts in current and future space exploration efforts worldwide?

Please join us for a riveting conversation on diversity and the role of women in the past and future of space exploration. The invited speakers share their insights into challenges women continue to face on their journey to space and how they wish to succeed in empowering girls and young women to pursue an education and career in STEM fields and receive training as astronauts and aeronautical engineers.