This week in 1959, 13 female pilots proved they were as fit to go into space as the men who became immortalized as America's first astronauts. The women underwent the same intensive medical tests, at the same Albuquerque, New Mexico, clinic, administered by the same staff, as the men did. "When you put them next to the men, they were as good or better," recalled Dr. Donald Kilgore, who helped test both the men and women between 1959 and 1961 at the Lovelace Clinic.
1 thought on “Mercury 13 – the Women of the Mercury era”
You know, when this was actually taking place (from 1959 to 1961), the participation of women on a par with men was not common knowledge. It’s not like it was any top secret matter either (like, for example, the black bird definitely was). The news media just did not take the equal participation of women seriously. Below the radar by default, amazing.
You know, when this was actually taking place (from 1959 to 1961), the participation of women on a par with men was not common knowledge. It’s not like it was any top secret matter either (like, for example, the black bird definitely was). The news media just did not take the equal participation of women seriously. Below the radar by default, amazing.