Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space

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On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, a 26-year-old girl who worked in a factory and was selected to become a cosmonaut, became the first woman in space. Tereshkova flew a solo mission that orbited the Earth 48 times. In three days, he traveled farther than all the previous American astronauts put together. Her ardent fans saw her triumph as a positive reaffirmation of the Soviet commitment to gender equality, while women outside the Soviet Union saw it as proof that there was no limit to what they could accomplish.

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On June 19, after parachuting more than 6000 meters high, the cosmonaut landed in Karaganda (Kazakhstan). As of today, Valentina Tereshkova remains the only woman to have traveled alone in space.

As a profession historically ruled by men, Tereshkova’s feat inspired other women and became a symbol of the struggle for equality.

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After completing his mission, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and it became Cosmonaut training center instructor. Tereshkova, who was born in a village on the Volga and was the daughter of a tractor driver, became a Soviet actress, eventually retiring as General of the Russian Air Force. He was also named president of the Soviet Women’s Committee and member of the Supreme Soviet, the former Soviet parliament. Since 2009, Tereshkova is a member of the Duma, the Russian parliament.