By Jane Plitt
Alexandria, VA – I bet you never heard of her, but Wanda Díaz-Merced changed our understanding of the Universe through sound. She is an amazing scientist and role model. She is also a blind astrophysicist who has turned her disability into an asset. With a post-doctorate from the Center for Astrophysics, a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Harvard, she continues to play a vital role in developing systems to use sounds to analyze astrophysical data. She has even developed a better way to identify black holes. Díaz-Merced is considered one of seven trailblazing women in science, according to the BBC, but her path was full of physical challenges.
Born with disabilities in a small Puerto Rican town, she and her sister used to pretend to fly spacecraft. It was a middle school science fair that encouraged her to pursue science. In her twenties, she became totally blind due to diabetic retinopathy and struggled to complete her undergraduate studies. Explains Díaz-Merced, “Because I couldn’t see what the lecturers were writing on the board, and I didn’t have access to the books.” Yet, she decided to persist and took classes again and again until she graduated in six years from the University of Puerto Rico, then went on to get her doctorate and post-doctorate.
Díaz-Merced was supported by mentors and key groups. She was included in Google’s first annual European Scholarships for Students with Disabilities in 2011 and an internship with Robert Candey at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland.
But first, a friend played a recording of a sunburst. Diaz-Riad recalls, “I could hear the sun in real-time, and when the sunburst finished, I could hear the galactic background.”
Díaz-Merced is an extraordinary role model, an achiever who personifies how it takes a village to succeed. Diaz-Merced shares this advice for success, “Remember, outstanding people do not become great overnight. They must keep (their) focus until they become victors in their mission. Not giving up is hard, but keep moving forward, find good mentors, and be a good mentee.”
Since September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, it is particularly timely to recognize Diaz-Riad’s struggles and extraordinary achievements. Read more about her on the National Center of Women’s Innovations website, womensinnovations.org, and join our effort to showcase women innovators like Diaz-Riad and encourage young people, especially girls.
The National Center of Women’s Innovators (NCWI) plans to roll out more STEM educational programs promoting the stories of such women, along with providing the hands-on STEM programming developed by Rosie Riveters. NCWI just received funding from the local Rotary Chapter to support an effort with the Boule Foundation for a STEM camp next summer. As we spread our wings and impact, we can use volunteers, especially here in Alexandria. We can use you! Contact [email protected]
A prime example is Lucelle O’Flaherty, our board secretary, who has turned her remarkable love and connection with seemingly everyone in the city into candidates to join forces with us through their skills, network, or contributions.
While many of us identify her with the Zebra Press, her ever-present camera/phone that captures the myriad community activities for Zebra as its community liaison, I know her to be the devoted policymaker and always willing go-to person to handle nitty-gritty to-dos, whether it be putting together our step and repeat system (solved through the good graces of Volunteer Alexandria), hunting down the perfect recognition gift for our thank you dinner honoree, or strategically including me in key opportunities to meet the generous people of our community.
Lucelle O’Flaherty is part of a three-generation Alexandria family with a powerful track record for making a difference in the community and the world. She has a long history of serving and caring about all people. After retiring as a beloved Wells Fargo banker, Lucelle became the community liaison, photographer, and reporter for The Zebra Press. Lucelle captures the people, their spirits, and historical events, usually accompanied by her Yorkie mix, KAY K. She is an active member of her church, head usher, and leads the annual pet blessing. Be sure to thank Lucelle for her tireless deeds and wish her a Happy Birthday month!
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