Impact - The First American Woman in Space
The Mercury 13 project led to the US sending the first American woman into space, Sally Ride on June 18, 1983. She was the third woman in space overall.
Sally Ride with her crew members, 1983 | Credit to NASA
The first six women selected to be NASA astronauts: (back row, left to right) Kathryn Sullivan, Shannon W. Lucid, Anna L. Fisher, Judith Resnik, (seated left to right) Sally K. Ride and M. Rhea Seddon, 1978 | Credit to NASA
"Jackie Cochran's (...) role was certainly crucial along with all the other women who paved the way for the first six American female astronauts to be selected. And hopefully, we paved the way for the women who have come after us. Each generation has gone farther and done more than those who went before them, but it would not have been possible without the great legacy that was left for them to follow."
-Personal Interview with Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD 03/12/20
Col. Eileen Collins Thanks Women in Aviation History
"The Mercury women from back in the 1960's that went through all the tough medical testing (...) all these women have been my role models and my inspiration and I couldn't be here without them."
-Eileen Collins quote from video to the right
Eileen Collins First Female Space Shuttle Commander in 1999, Speech in Whitehouse, YouTube channel Wordsmith FL
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Go back to Impact Mercury 13
Go to Timeline of Jackie Cochran's Life
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Space Background, New York Post Photograph
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Cochran's dream came true.
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