Back to the Future

This week Richard Branson’s company Virgin Galactic completed their first commercial flight into space. The Unity spaceship took off from Spaceport USA just outside of Truth or Consequences NM. This was a momentous event for Virgin Galactic,  the State of New Mexico and Spaceport USA.

I have spent a great deal of time in New Mexico and love the American Southwest very dearly.  I feel that New Mexico is a unique part of the United States where the past and the future live together.
New Mexico is home to over 20 Native American tribes which are still in existence while also being home to many forward thinking companies including Facebook, Intel and Virgin Galactic.

One of my favorite non profit organizations based out of New Mexico is Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives. The mission of Eve’s Fund is to promote health and wellness for young Native Americans living on the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Many of the ambassadors still live on tribal land and are educating the next generation of Native American youth about being safe while driving a car or riding a bike. They do this by speaking with the youth in school and encourage them to wear seatbelts and helmets when using a motorcycle or riding a bike.

While the world is racing ahead I think it is important to realize that both the past and the future can live together and push humanity forward for the greater good.

To the next generation of dreamers: if we can do this, imagine what we can do.- Sir Richard Branson