Author
|
Topic: Bernice Steadman, of "Mercury 13" (1925-2015)
|
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
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
|
posted 03-20-2015 05:48 PM
. |
randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 03-20-2015 07:32 PM
. |
jasonelam Member Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
|
posted 03-20-2015 09:00 PM
. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
|
posted 03-20-2015 09:54 PM
. |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
|
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
|
posted 03-20-2015 10:53 PM
. |
Kite Member Posts: 831 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
|
posted 03-21-2015 04:06 AM
. |
Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 03-21-2015 07:48 AM
. |
Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
|
posted 03-21-2015 09:24 AM
. |
apolloprojeckt Member Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009
|
posted 03-21-2015 09:27 AM
. |
Lunar rock nut Member Posts: 911 From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 03-21-2015 09:28 AM
. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
|
posted 03-21-2015 10:00 AM
. |
ejectr Member Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 03-21-2015 11:13 AM
. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
|
posted 03-21-2015 11:19 AM
. |
uk spacefan Member Posts: 168 From: London Registered: Jan 2007
|
posted 03-21-2015 11:50 AM
. |
SPACEFACTS Member Posts: 301 From: Germany Registered: Aug 2006
|
posted 03-21-2015 12:24 PM
. |
David Carey Member Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 03-21-2015 03:15 PM
. |
star51L Member Posts: 340 From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 03-21-2015 08:12 PM
. |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
|
posted 03-21-2015 08:25 PM
. |
dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 03-21-2015 09:35 PM
. |
Lewis007 Member Posts: 102 From: Geldermalsen, the Netherlands Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 03-22-2015 02:15 AM
. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
|
posted 03-22-2015 08:13 AM
. |
East-Frisian Member Posts: 586 From: Germany Registered: Apr 2005
|
posted 03-22-2015 10:07 AM
. |
Astro Rich Member Posts: 133 From: Huntsville, Alabama Registered: Feb 2014
|
posted 03-22-2015 10:57 AM
. |
minipci Member Posts: 365 From: London, UK Registered: Jul 2009
|
posted 03-22-2015 05:06 PM
. |
mode1charlie Member Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted 03-22-2015 05:07 PM
. |
Marwin2 Member Posts: 139 From: Registered: Oct 2006
|
posted 03-23-2015 02:16 AM
. |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
|
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
|
posted 03-23-2015 10:16 AM
. |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
|
posted 03-29-2015 02:19 PM
. |