Female Astronauts and the History of Women in the Labor Force Wednesday, March 1, 4:30 - 5:30pm
Presenter: Lesley Mace, Outreach Senior Advisor Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch
Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 earth orbit made her the first woman to travel into space, and it would be another 20 years before Sally Ride became the first American woman to do so. The experience of women in the US space program has mirrored that of women in the US labor force in general. Using the backdrop of the US space program, this session will feature primary source documents to highlight the strides that women have made in the workforce. It will introduce a lesson plan showing the careers of the Barbie doll (including astronaut) to review historical trends in women’s labor force participation and chosen occupations. Along the way, you will discover the stories of the Mercury 13; the women behind the scenes in some of NASA’s greatest achievements, who inspired the first Black woman in space; and the leading ladies of space exploration today. Alabama teachers receive a $25 stipend.
