Spectacular Women in Space

Alice Kidd is an editor with The New Catalyst editorial collective in
Lillooet, B.C.

If you are looking for a book that provides exciting role models for
your daughter, look no further. Sonia Gueldenpfennig profiles 10 women
of space, while providing a detailed look at what astronauts and
cosmonauts do. Ranging from Caroline Herschel (a German astronomer in
the late 1700s) to Kalpana Chawla (a Columbia crew member who died in
2003 when the shuttle broke apart during re-entry), this slim volume
tells us of their preparation for the work, their struggles as women in
getting recognized and active, and their life “after space.”

The author has carefully selected women skilled in a wide range of
disciplines that are essential to space programs: astronomy, biology,
communication and language, computer technology, medicine, optics,
physics, physical fitness, radio technology, and above all, flying all
types of aircraft and space craft. There are several Americans (Sally
Ride, Jerrie Cobb, Ellen Ochoa), Canadians (Roberta Bondar, Julie
Payette), and Russians (Valentina Tereshkova, Nadezhda Kuzhelnaya), and
a Japanese (Chiaki Mukai). Each profile is supported by a number of
black-and-white photos and brief suggestions for further reading in
books and websites. Many key terms are presented in boldface with
explanations in the body of the text. Sidebars in each chapter present
historical facts, scientific explanations, and descriptions of various
space facilities.

I particularly liked the way the women’s stories are arranged to show
both the development of space programs worldwide and the changes in the
role of women in science and other activities over time. Highly
recommended.