Answer:
Based on the information in the article "Eileen Collins - NASA's First Female Shuttle Commander to Lead Next Shuttle Mission," it appears that option 2, the early missions to explore space, led by the Mercury astronauts, is what helped influence and inspire Eileen Collins when she was a young girl. The article mentions that Collins was inspired by watching the Mercury astronauts on television and by the idea of space exploration. The article does not mention options 1, 3, or 4 as influences on Collins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The article "Eileen Collins - NASA's First Female Shuttle Commander to Lead Next Shuttle Mission" describes Eileen Collins' background and her journey to becoming the first female commander of a NASA space shuttle mission. The article mentions that Collins was born in Elmira, New York, and was interested in space exploration from a young age. According to the article, Collins was inspired by watching the Mercury astronauts on television and by the idea of space exploration. She was particularly drawn to the idea of piloting spacecraft, which led her to pursue a degree in mathematics and then a career as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
The article does not mention the other options listed in the question as influences on Collins. While women scientists and mathematicians who worked for NASA may have served as role models for Collins later in her career, the article does not mention them as influencing her when she was a young girl. Similarly, while the Civil Rights Movement may have been a factor in shaping Collins' worldview and values, the article does not mention it as influencing her interest in space exploration. Finally, while fighter pilots who flew daring missions during World War II may have inspired Collins to pursue a career in the Air Force, the article does not mention them as influencing her interest in space exploration specifically.