Author
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Topic: Mercury 13's Doctor of Science Degrees (Honorary)
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albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-08-2007 01:36 PM
Jerri Truhill (my adopted Mom) called me all full of pride and giggling like a little girl to tell me she, and the surviving members of the Mercury 13, have been invited to the University of Wisconsin (Oshkosh) to receive the honorary degree Doctor of Science (honoris causa). This is a tremendous honor. It will be conferred at the commencement ceremony on May 12th, 2007. Author Martha Ackmann who wrote the book "The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Spaceflight" will be the commencement speaker. She is attending, as most probably are Rhea Woltman, Sarah Ratley and I believe it's a safe bet to assume Wally Funk. ;0) They have not heard from Jerrie Cobb. Congrats to these fine women for some overdue recognition! |
Andy McCulley Member Posts: 245 From: Lansdale, PA Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 03-08-2007 01:59 PM
Congratulations to these ladies for a well deserved honor |
RISPACE Member Posts: 67 From: Warwick, RI USA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-19-2007 07:56 AM
Yes, well deserved! |
OOTWCook Member Posts: 18 From: Lancaster, California , USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 03-19-2007 02:18 PM
You Go Girls........... |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-19-2007 02:35 PM
Thanks guys and gals, I'll def. pass it along to at least Jerri T. |
zee_aladdin Member Posts: 781 From: California Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 05-08-2007 05:09 AM
Here is a related story: College to honor would-be women astronauts |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-08-2007 05:11 AM
Apart from Martha Ackmann's excellent book on the subject, there's a chapter devoted to this amazing story in the recently-released "Into That Silent Sea" which Francis French and I co-authored. |
medaris Member Posts: 181 From: United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 05-08-2007 06:58 AM
This seems like appropriate recognition for people involved in an important episode in space history. Congratulations to the recipients! |
br62 Member Posts: 122 From: The Frozen Tundra Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 05-08-2007 11:26 PM
Eight of the Mercury 13 women (Cagle, Cobb, Jessen, Leverton, Ratley, Steadman, Truhill and Woltman) will participate in a panel discussion titled "The Sky Is Not The Limit" at UW Oshkosh on Friday, May 11. They will discuss what made them aspire to become astronauts and their personal experiences. Martha Ackmann, author of “The Mercury 13: The True Story of the Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight,” will serve as moderator. Immediately following the discussion, there will be a poster and book signing with the Mercury 13 women and Martha Ackmann. There is no fee for admission. For more information, please see: http://www.uwosh.edu/mercury13/ This should be a real special event! Bruce
Edited by collectSPACE Admin |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-09-2007 09:05 PM
On behalf of Jerri Truhill who sends her best, and thanks for all the kind words, I am pleased to report they are receiving attention like no other time in history. I have been coordinating a meet for them with one of the US Congressmen from Wisconsin (Ron Kind) who will be drafting a proclamation for them in Congress. They're trying to meet this weekend. The Houston Chronicle did an article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4782579.html (you must've missed it in your local newspaper Robert ) A gent put an interview with Jerri Truhill on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gAp4w3BKgA I've fielded a ton of requests for interviews (sadly they will not have time this weekend) - it's just been amazing. And recognition long, long overdue. I sure wish I was able to be there. Those who do go would you please report back about it or email me direct if you don't mind? Also if anyone gets any pictures, I'm sure the gal's would like to see them if you could send them to me. It's my latest information after talking to Jerri tonight, that she will be attending, Jerrie Cobb, Sarah Ratley, GeneNora Jesson, Rhea Woltman, Kay Cagle and "B" Steadman also. Cheers! |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-09-2007 09:16 PM
I did forget, Jerri Truhill was interviewd by NPR also, who will broadcast it tomorrow (Thursday) on their "All Things Considered" show. http://www.npr.com and then click ont he sidebar: "All Things Considered". They will also be putting up a site about her on their main site. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 05-13-2007 12:08 PM
For those interested to obtain signed photographs from the ladies, there are a number of nice high resolution shots from the event at the University website.------------------ Jürgen P Esders Berlin, Germany http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies
Edited by eurospace |
br62 Member Posts: 122 From: The Frozen Tundra Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 05-14-2007 07:50 AM
This was an outstanding event. In attendance were Martha Ackmann, author of "The Mercury 13: The True Story of the Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight" and eight of the Mercury 13: Myrtle “K” Cagle, Jerrie Cobb, Gene Nora Jessen, Irene Leverton, Sarah Ratley, Bernice “B” Steadman, Jerri Truhill, and Rhea Woltman.Martha Ackmann moderated a discussion with the Mercury 13 women for about an hour and then there were some questions from the audience. After that they met with some local media and then began to sign books and posters. There was a very nice turnout from people of all ages, but I think the ladies were a little overwhelmed with the number of people wanting to get something signed and were getting pretty tired at the end. Here is a link to an article on the event from the Oshkosh Northwestern. There were many highlights, but some of my favorites were: - Jerrie Cobb's emotional reaction to the awarding of the honorary doctorates. She commented how they were so used to being rejected, this was very special - it was the first real recognition they have received.
- Jerri Truhill saying she became interested in flying after a flight with her father at four years old and her father telling her that if she studied hard and became a registered nurse (required on commercial flights at that time) she could be a hostess on a plane. She said she had no interest in that, she wanted to fly the plane!
- Irene Leverton commenting how on one occasion she was told she had to complete a test run at a pylon racing event in Oregon before the men would allow her to actually compete. Her reaction, she told them to "stuff it!"
- Jerrie Cobb relating Vice President Lyndon Johnson's response for cancelling the Mercury 13 project as, "The country couldn't allow women in the space program because then it would have to allow all minorities in."
- And the advice they all shared to youngsters in the audience to follow their dreams and never give up.
The pictures are from the signing session, in which the entire group participated. As far as I could tell, Martha added personalizations and short inscriptions to all books and "K" Cagle asked everyone's name who had a book and added a personalization and very nice inscription.Everyone was extremely gracious, very personable, and a lot of fun. You could just sense that true trailblazer spirit in all of them. No question, they are a very special group of women and it was a real privilege to meet them. The truly have "The Right Stuff" and it is a terrible shame that our country never gave them the chance to pursue their dreams. Jump if you ever have an opportunity to meet any of them. You will never forget the experience! Jerri Truhill, Gene Nora Jessen, and Sarah Ratley Irene Leverton and Myrtle “K” Cagle Bernice “B” Steadman, Jerrie Cobb, and Rhea Woltman
Edited by br62 |
Lunar rock nut Member Posts: 911 From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 05-15-2007 07:09 AM
Another nice story of recognition for these lovely ladies. Here.
Edited by Lunar rock nut |
Andy Member Posts: 32 From: Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 05-15-2007 07:52 AM
This is all very nice, but with all due respect, this is all way over hyped.They were never part of any program. They never (TMK) did any astronaut-specific training, just med/psych testing. Lovelace did the testing as a private effort, without NA[S]A's knowledge or approval. There was never any intent, or presumed offer, by NA[S]A (or the White House, for that matter) for these ladies to be trained, or fly, as astronauts. I mean, this all great, and no offense to the ladies, but this is a little out of control, asking Congress for recognition for....uh, what exactly? |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-15-2007 08:20 AM
Some of what you say is true my friend, but they pioneered greatly. Maybe little as far as the space program, but their efforts in moving women ahead. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-15-2007 09:00 AM
Jim Oberg wrote a column for The Space Review that was published yesterday about the Mercury 13 and "setting the record straight," in light of the recent media coverage. |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-15-2007 03:49 PM
Cheered you up to type that eh Rob? Thing is, there IS a lot of hype with them. Mostly from the feminist style/related groups, and there has been from one or two of their own too. I do believe becoming informed you can easily get the real story. And that in and of itself, is very interesting, as Oberg himself said at one point. His article was written well, but I saw some "agenda" of his own in it, and some wording that could have been better. But then I too am prejudiced. Was this honoring a lot of hyperbole and nonsense? That's certainly up to you to judge, but I for one do not want to rain on these gal's parade. I know t most of them, and quite well. But feel free if that's what you wish to do. If you ever talk to any of these gal's, I think you'd be surprised at their feelings on the whole issue. Most of them have put this in perspective far better than anyone here, I promise you.
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-15-2007 04:23 PM
I take no exception with their honor, and I applaud them for it. However, like Andy and Oberg, I did feel that some of my fellow journalists were a bit too loose and fast with their history and that in turn was a disservice to the women of the Mercury 13 and their legacy. They should be celebrated and honored for their accomplishments, which require absolutely no embellishment. Their role in aviation and space history is well documented and I only wish the Associated Press and others would have chosen to focus on their record rather than trying to spin more politically-motivated headlines. |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-15-2007 08:45 PM
No argument from me there. And of course, the use of journalist in some cases, is well, generous as well. |
br62 Member Posts: 122 From: The Frozen Tundra Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 05-15-2007 10:24 PM
Very well said Robert and Al.My one suggestion is Oberg should be a little more diligent himself in practicing what he preaches in terms of reporting things accurately. A simple Internet search would reveal that WFRV is the CBS affiliate for Green Bay, Wisconsin - not Oshkosh as stated in his article. Well, he was only about 50 miles off. LOL
Edited by br62 |