Mary Francis Hollis, a dedicated teacher for 40 years, was a pioneer in inspiring girls to study math and science, long before it was the “in” thing to do. She established the first local computer lab in Foster City School Summer School and worked with NASA and the Civil Air Patrol to bring excitement to her lessons. As an aerospace educator, Ms. Hollis attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama and was on hand at Cape Canaveral to watch at the shuttle launch with the first black astronaut, Gulon Bluford. She escorted a group of excited fourth graders to NASA in Florida, and even succeeded in bringing the moon rocks to San Mateo County. Now retired, Ms. Hollis has received many honors, including NASA’s “Down to Earth” Award, inclusion in Who’s Who in America, and Teacher of the Year Award by the California Association of Aerospace Educators. Today, Ms. Hollis stays active as a volunteer with the Leslie Foundation and the Unitarian Universalist Church, where she helped establish the “Open Door” Committee to promote diversity. Ms. Hollis is recognized by her friends and colleagues as a dedicated achiever, one who lights up any room she enters with her sense of humor and bright smile.
