Cobb, Jerrie (1931–)
Cobb, Jerrie (1931–)
American aviator and astronaut. Born Geraldyn Menor Cobb, Mar 5, 1931, at Norman, Oklahoma; dau. of William Harvey Cobb (Air Force officer) and Helena Butler Stone Cobb (teacher).
Licensed pilot since 1947, set world records (1956–60); ferried aircraft to South America, Europe and India; was hired as a test pilot by Aero Design and Engineering Co. (1959); won Woman of the Year in Aviation Award (1959); was the 1st American woman to pass NASA astronaut tests, the same rigorous tests, physical and psychological, as the male Mercury astronauts, and was rated higher than many male candidates, especially in adjustment tests (Feb 1960); addressed the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, arguing that women had proven that they were as physically and mentally suitable to be astronauts as men (1962), but NASA officials explained that it would be too complicated to design spacesuits to fit female astronauts and accommodate their biological needs; became a NASA consultant (1960–62); established airlift service to Amazonia, the Jerrie Cobb Foundation (1964); nominated for Nobel Peace Prize (1981).
See also autobiography (with Jane Rieker) Woman Into Space: The Jerrie Cobb Story (1963); and Women in World History.