New Hampshire Producer Unveils New Documentary Celebrating Christa McAuliffe’s Life

Governor Chris Sununu said, according to NHPBS.org, when you say the name "Christa" here in New Hampshire, everyone knows exactly who you are talking about. So true.

There is a new documentary airing this month on NHPBS that celebrates her life.

January 28, 1986

People in New Hampshire remember that date and what happened.  But do you know the date, September 2, 1948?  That's the day Christa McAuliffe was born in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Christa McAuliffe, the social studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, was selected from 11,000 applications to ride aboard the Challenger.

The film, entitled, "Christa," was produced locally by NHPBS with footage that has rarely been seen in other documentaries about her and her journey.  It is scheduled to be premiered on December 19, 2024 at 8:30pm.

There is a statue dedicated to Christa on the lawn of the New Hampshire State House.  It is the first to honor a woman.  (*cough, cough... it's about time... cough, cough...*)  This film will cover that as well.

I spoke with the Producer of the film Kathleen Young who said, the Concord Historical Society opened up their doors for NHPBS.  Concord Community Access TV had interviewed Christa several times.  There is footage used in the documentary showing Christa just coming back from her training at NASA to talk to her Seniors at Concord High and wish them luck.

Kathleen also said that Christa touched so many people's lives and when you mention her name, everyone wants to answer the question, "Where were you," when the Challenger exploded.  But, the film focuses on Christa's life, as suggested by Jeanne Gerluskis, former director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. 

I can't wait to see it.