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Author
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Topic: Bernice Steadman, of "Mercury 13" (1925-2015)
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-20-2015 05:22 PM
   
Bernice Steadman, one of the "Mercury 13" women who underwent some of the same physiological tests as NASA's original astronauts, died Wednesday (March 18) at 89, the Traverse City Record Eagle reports. The following profile was prepared for the Mercury 13 website (it has been slightly edited for inclusion here): Bernice "Bea" Steadman began flying at an early age, earning her private pilot's license at age 17 and her commercial pilot's license in 1946. She started and operated her own flight school, charter service and fixed-base operator at Flint Bishop Airport in Michigan where she trained pilots, flew chartered flights and sold aircraft. She possessed the highest FAA license, the Airline Transport Pilot license and also taught Reserve Air Force pilots after World War II. As a member of the prestigious women's flying group, the Ninety-Nines (founded by Amelia Earhart and other female aviation pioneers), she was elected president by her peers in 1968. A participant in many air races, she won the Transcontinental Air Race (the Powder Puff Derby, which dates back to 1929), and the International Air Race, and she organized the Michigan SMALL Race. In 1961, she was invited to Albuquerque, New Mexico to participate in the some of the same tests as the candidates for NASA's first astronaut class. She ultimately did so well she ended up in the group of 13 finalists, now known as the "Mercury 13." For years, Steadman remained active in many aviation organizations and was sought after as a speaker for related talks. She was president of the International Women's Air and Space Museum and served as chair of the board for the organization. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-20-2015 05:48 PM
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randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 03-20-2015 07:32 PM
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jasonelam
Member Posts: 691
From: Monticello, KY USA
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 03-20-2015 09:00 PM
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eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 03-20-2015 09:54 PM
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ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-20-2015 10:09 PM
Bernice also wrote a book on her experiences, titled "Tethered Mercury: A Pilot's Memoir: The Right Stuff but the Wrong Sex." Sorry to see that she has flown off into the sunset for the last time. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 03-20-2015 10:53 PM
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Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-21-2015 04:06 AM
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Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 03-21-2015 07:48 AM
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Jeff
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From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 03-21-2015 09:24 AM
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apolloprojeckt
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From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-21-2015 09:27 AM
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Lunar rock nut
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From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-21-2015 09:28 AM
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Delta7
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From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 03-21-2015 10:00 AM
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ejectr
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From: Killingly, CT
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posted 03-21-2015 11:13 AM
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fredtrav
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From: Birmingham AL
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posted 03-21-2015 11:19 AM
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uk spacefan
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From: London
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posted 03-21-2015 11:50 AM
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SPACEFACTS
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From: Germany
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posted 03-21-2015 12:24 PM
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David Carey
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From:
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posted 03-21-2015 03:15 PM
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star51L
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From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA
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posted 03-21-2015 08:12 PM
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capoetc
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From: McKinney TX (USA)
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posted 03-21-2015 08:25 PM
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dss65
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From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 03-21-2015 09:35 PM
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Lewis007
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From: Geldermalsen, the Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-22-2015 02:15 AM
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eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 03-22-2015 08:13 AM
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East-Frisian
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From: Germany
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posted 03-22-2015 10:07 AM
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Astro Rich
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From: Huntsville, Alabama
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posted 03-22-2015 10:57 AM
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minipci
Member Posts: 365
From: London, UK
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posted 03-22-2015 05:06 PM
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mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
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posted 03-22-2015 05:07 PM
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Marwin2
Member Posts: 139
From:
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posted 03-23-2015 02:16 AM
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albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-23-2015 09:58 AM
B's book is, in my opinion, one of the best about the women and the program. It also gives an insight into what a phenomonal woman she was in addition to the Mercury 13, always lovingly supported by her husband Bob. |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-23-2015 10:16 AM
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Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-29-2015 02:19 PM
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