Press Release  Governor Healey Welcomes Astronaut Suni Williams, Local Students to the State House

Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey hosted a meet and greet with American Astronaut Suni Williams and local students at the State House. Williams, a NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy officer, is from Needham, Massachusetts. She is the first woman to fly on a flight test of an orbital spacecraft during the 2024 Boeing Crew Flight Test and recently returned from nine months in space. She was joined by students from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, British International School of Boston Middle School, Boys and Girls Club of Boston students and members of the Science Club for Girls.

“It was great to welcome Suni Williams to the State House and back home to Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “Her resilience and dedication to service serves as an incredible model for young people across the state, reminding them that their potential is as limitless as outer space. We hope that some of the students who joined us today will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM and truly reach for the stars.”

“As Chair of our STEM Advisory Council, I’m so glad that students across Massachusetts have such an amazing role model in Suni Williams,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We thank her for visiting the State House today and sharing her inspirational story with us all.”

During the visit, Governor Healey also awarded Astronaut Williams with a Governor’s Citation in recognition of her dedicated service to her country and space exploration. 

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