Women In Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking Adventures

 Written by Karen Bush Gibson.  Published by Chicago Review Press, 2014, 234 Pages

                                                                      Reviewed by Theresa Harris

 

This book is listed in our local library as a Young Adult book, perhaps because of its simplicity; but it’s easily enjoyable by readers of all ages.   The actual writing itself is a little stilted, making it sometimes difficult to get into a smooth reader’s flow, but if you are interested in achievement of women, the essence will send you into orbit! 

Women In Space profiles 23 pioneers and provides terrific basics that will leave you wanting to know more.   Conveniently, the book also provides sidebars of additional information and suggests further reading with references including internet links.  The stories demonstrate the vital role women have played in the quest for scientific understanding and ignite a flame of interest in space programs for all readers. 

Divided into four sections: The Apollo 13 Women, Cosmonauts, American Astronauts, and World Astronauts, it includes Eileen Collins, born in Elmira, New York in 1956, graduated from Syracuse University in 1978, who became the first woman to command the space shuttle; Peggy Whitson, who logged more than a year in orbit aboard the International Space Station; and Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space; as well as astronauts from Japan, Canada, Italy, South Korea, France, and more. 

 

The book is filled with fact and also dotted with interesting anecdotes such as when the first African American female astronaut, Mae Jemison, who loved astronomy and science fiction stories as a girl told her kindergarten teacher she wanted to be a scientist, her teacher said, “You mean a nurse.” 

 

These women are “SHEroes”…the names and stories of whom we all should be familiar. 

 

I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and be inspired and proud of women’s stories.  It will help you understand the reasons why Zonta International chooses to award (35) US$10,000 Fellowships annually to women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences, to be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.