It would mean everything in the world, and out of this world, to me. Looking back now, the other women have mixed feelings of pride and sadness. The power of liftoff, the serenity of space, being out there where our future lay. The blue Earth below would be very inspiring. However, these are not quota fillers but women of accomplishment who have paid their dues to get into the left seat of a jet.
Women fly in the military and a few have completed test pilot school.
Eileen Collins is the first female Shuttle pilot, and other women are already following her lead. Eileen Collins proved us right, and we are all very grateful to her for finishing what we started, even if it took NASA 35 years to do it. The male ego is a powerful thing, and it shut us down. Don't misunderstand - we all like men, and most of us are married and had sons of our own. We, of course, raised ours right, and now young astronauts, men and women, work side by side and do not think anything of it.