The Mercury 13
Dr. Lovelace helped NASA create the profile of the perfect astronaut. In 1959 at his Aviation Clinic, rigorous medical tests on thirty-one male astronaut candidates were conducted. Seven were chosen and known as the Mercury Seven.
The following year thirteen women were chosen for those same rigorous medical tests. In spite of their outstanding test results, now one of these women was given a chance to fly in space. In fact, they were sworn to strict secrecy not to tell!
We honor them now: