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Hidden Figures
2017

Real Art Ways Hartford, CT

with

Leticia Colon de Mejias

Founder & CEO, Energy Efficiencies Solutions

and

Melissa Strother

Senior Actuarial Consultant, Travelers Insurance Company

and

Tysha Wiggins

FAA Private Pilot, Pegasus Air Charter, Hartford-Brainard Airport

and

Dr. Carla Gunn

Partner, Manchester OB-GYN

and

Shakira Ramos

Fleet Manager, Aviation and Aerospace Departments, Pratt and Whitney

and

Dr. Anjanette Ferris

Cardiologist; Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut

and

Dr. Sandra S. Inga

STEM Director, Hartford Public Schools

Hidden Figures— A Giant Leap for Humankind

A panel discussion with accomplished and experienced, Hartford, Connecticut-based women of color that excel in STEM occupations.



Real Art Ways Hartford, CT

Film Synopsis

A team of African American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program's first successful space missions.

As the United States raced against Russia to put a man in space, three brilliant African American women at NASA — Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — became the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and captivated the world.

About the Speaker

Leticia Colon de Mejias is a nationally awarded building scientist, who is known for her passionate advocacy work in the areas of climate change education, workforce programming, and energy efficiency. She is a board member on Connecticut's Energy Workforce Development Consortium, a member of HPACT, and Hartford STEM school SGC board member. 

She is the Owner of Energy Efficiencies Solutions (EES), a Connecticut full service energy conservation company. She is also president of Green Eco Warriors Inc. a nonprofit education company focused on conservation and sustainable living. She is the author of Dinero the Frog Learns to Save Energy and Pesky Plastic. 

Her specialties include public speaking on energy conservation/efficiency, workforce development, water conservation, climate change, STEM skills, motivational speaking, financial literacy, goals, and planning, information and process mapping, negotiation, alliance building, program development, advanced knowledge, and ability to interface effectively with community organizations. She is experienced in creating education tools for professionals and youth.


Melissa Strother is a senior actuarial consultant for Travelers Insurance whose primary responsibility is to calculate reserves for Small Business Units with the Auto line of business. Strother has over 20 years working in various actuarial roles within the insurance industry, and holds an MS in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science from the University of Connecticut and a BS in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science from the University of Massachusetts.


Tysha Wiggins is an FAA private pilot for Pegasus Air Charter out of Hartford-Brainard Airport.


Dr. Carla Gunn is a partner of Manchester OB-GYN, who earned her undergraduate degree from Hampton University in Virginia and graduated from UConn School of Medicine then finished her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center in 2010.


Shakira Aida-Ramos is the deputy regional fleet manager in Pratt & Whitney’s Engines Services for Commercial Engines & Aftermarket Department, and a graduate of Ms. Porter’s School. She received a BS in mechanical engineering from Trinity College and an MS in business administration from the University of Hartford.


Anjanette Ferris is a cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, the former director of the Lipid Clinic, and past co-director of the Women’s Heart Health Program at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center. She completed both her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at Columbia University Medical Center, and earned a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University.


Dr. Sandra S. Inga is the STEM Director for Hartford Public Schools. In 2014, she was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame at their 21st Annual Induction Ceremony & Celebration: Shaping our World: Women in Design & Innovation.