A member of the audience asks a questions during a moderated panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot delivers closing remarks at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Omega Jones sings the national anthem as a color guard from the at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot delivers closing remarks at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speaks at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Administrator Bolden provided the opening remarks at the event and a tribute to the NASA civil rights team as the agency highlights the influence of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speaks at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Administrator Bolden provided the opening remarks at the event and a tribute to the NASA civil rights team as the agency highlights the influence of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Roger Launius, Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, second from right, speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Harriet Jenkins, Former Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA, center; speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The Military District of Washington Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Nikki Giovanni, a poet and professor at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, reads her poem entitled "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)" via a pre-recorded video at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden watches as a video entitled "50 Years After" plays at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Harriet Jenkins, Former Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA, speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas, speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas, left; answers a question from the audience during a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Brenda Manuel, Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity at NASA gives opening remarks at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. the event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden watches as a video entitled "50 Years After" plays at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The audience watches as Nikki Giovanni, a poet and professor at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, reads her poem entitled "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)" via a pre-recorded video at at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The Military District of Washington Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Suzanne Malveaux, a correspondent with CNN, serves as a moderator at a panel discussion as part of an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Roger Launius, Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, center; speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas, speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Members of the audience listen as Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, answers a question during a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Members of the audience listen as U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas; Dr. Harriet Jenkins, Former Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA; Dr. Roger Launius, Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum; and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University; speak on a panel moderated by Suzanne Malveaux, of CNN, at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, left; speaks as part of a panel discussion at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The panel was moderated by Suzanne Malveaux, a correspondent with CNN, left; and also included U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas, second from left; Dr. Harriet Jenkins, Former Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA, third from left; and Dr. Roger Launius, Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, second from right. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

From left: Robert Lightroot. NASA Associate Administrator; Dr. Roger Launius, Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum; Dr. Harriett Jenkins, Former Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA; Brenda Manuel, Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity at NASA; Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Correspondent and panel moderator; U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas; Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, professor of sociology at Georgetown University; and Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator; pose for a picture following an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Yves Lamothe, transition manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, is the master of ceremonies at a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Center Director Robert Cabana made the opening remarks. Dr. Mary Frances Berry, an award-winning civil rights activist and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, was the guest speaker. The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information on Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Robert Cabana makes the opening remarks at a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr. Mary Frances Berry, an award-winning civil rights activist and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, was the guest speaker. The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information on Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Robert Cabana addresses the audience at a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Yves Lamothe, on stage, transition manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, was the master of ceremonies. Dr. Mary Frances Berry, an award-winning civil rights activist and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, was the guest speaker. The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information on Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry relates her personal experiences in the fight for civil liberties to employees gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry relates her personal experiences in the fight for civil liberties to employees gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, on stage, addresses the audience gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, supported by a sign-language interpreter. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett