Amanda Nguyen, a 34-year-old scientist and civil rights activist, recently made headlines as a participant in the historic Blue Origin space flight, which marked the world’s first all-female journey into space. This momentous occasion allowed Nguyen to live out her lifelong dream of space travel. With that, she officially became the first Vietnamese woman ever to make it to the cosmos! Her positive experience was soon overshadowed by a discriminatory aftermath that left her feeling harassed and depressed.
Two weeks ago, the Blue Origin flight lasted only 11 minutes and Nguyen was able to conduct a variety of experiments focused on women’s health. She dove into this historic assignment with famous company. Among them were singer Katy Perry, Suborbital entrepreneur Lauren Sánchez, aerospace engineer and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe, and aerospace executive Kerianne Flynn. That win marked an incredible milestone for women in the science and aerospace fields. For Nguyen, it ushered in unforeseen challenges.
Despite realizing a dream she long postponed—after being raped during her university years—Nguyen faced a “tsunami of harassment” following the flight. She has been a powerful voice against the flood of online abuse that she’s faced. She called it an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to withstand.” The backlash was overwhelming and deeply affecting.
Nguyen’s odyssey wasn’t over once she left the flight. And for a week after the event, she could not come out of her house in Texas, seeming paralyzed by grief. In a deeply affecting moment, she recounted how she was forced to hang up on a senior staffer at Blue Origin. So overcome by emotion, she just wouldn’t have been able to do the interview justice.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed. A month later, when a senior staff at Blue Origin called me, I had to hang up on him because I could not speak through my tears.” – Amanda Nguyen
The campaign for justice that Nguyen waged after her brutal assault has been an important chapter of her life’s work. She continues to advocate fiercely on behalf of survivors’ civil rights. Her work has led to the creation of impactful legislation, as well as progress that provides direct support to survivors nationally.
In the months following her adventure on Flight 305, Nguyen began processing her experience. She noted that while the “fog of grief has begun to clear,” her path is still fraught with hardship. At the end of these challenges, she was thankful for friends, family members and other individuals who helped her navigate this rough ride.
“I was buried under an avalanche of misogyny,” – Amanda Nguyen
Nguyen’s journey is an inspiring one. As she noted, it’s a great example of personal success amidst systemic failure. She’s still doing science and advocacy on the hill. Her journey is a testament to the fortitude required to rise above personal ambitions and outside adversity.