NOAA releases documentary on women’s service in the NOAA Corps

As Women’s History Month draws to a close, NOAA announces the release of Women of the NOAA Corps: Reflections from Sea and Sky, a documentary that highlights the important role women play in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.


Women of the NOAA Corps is a 31-minute historical documentary on the lives and stories of ten women in the NOAA Corps service: how they came to the NOAA Corps, their motivations and challenges, and views on their service.
The documentary serves to elevate public understanding and appreciation of the NOAA Corps, particularly women’s service in the Corps, and to inspire the next generation of women in scientific service. The NOAA Corps is one of seven federal uniformed services of the United States, and NOAA Corps officers serve on the sea, on land, and in the air to support NOAA’s environmental science and stewardship mission.
The project was funded through the 2016 NOAA Preserve America Initiative Internal Funding Program.
Rear Adm. Harley Nygren (NOAA ret.) and Cmdr. Pam Chelgren-Koterba (NOAA ret.). Nygren was the first director of the NOAA Corps and penned entry for women to serve. Chelgren was the first woman to join the NOAA Corps in 1972, under Nygren’s leadership.
Rear Adm. Harley Nygren (NOAA ret.) and Cmdr. Pam Chelgren-Koterba (NOAA ret.). Nygren was the first director of the NOAA Corps and penned entry for women to serve. Chelgren was the first woman to join the NOAA Corps in 1972, under Nygren’s leadership.

The production team interviewed two film subjects on location at the Aviation Operation Center in Tampa, Florida. (Left to right) Bob Schwartz (NOAA Office of Communications), Crescent Moegling (Co-Producer; NOAA Office of Coast Survey), Lt. j.g. Shanae Coker (NOAA Corps), Timi Vann (Producer; National Weather Service), and Cmdr. Cathy Martin (NOAA Corps). The team also included Lt. Cmdr. Fionna Matheson as a technical advisor and worked under the leadership endorsement of Rear Adm. Anita Lopez (NOAA ret.).
The production team interviewed two film subjects on location at the Aviation Operation Center in Tampa, Florida. (Left to right) Bob Schwartz (NOAA Office of Communications), Crescent Moegling (Co-Producer; NOAA Office of Coast Survey), Lt. j.g. Shanae Coker (NOAA Corps), Timi Vann (Producer; National Weather Service), and Cmdr. Cathy Martin (NOAA Corps). The team also included Lt. Cmdr. Fionna Matheson as a technical adviser and worked under the leadership endorsement of Rear Adm. Anita Lopez (NOAA ret.).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *