The Untold Story of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb: Pioneering Female Aviator and Space Advocate

This episode of 'She Changed History' dives into the remarkable life of Geraldine 'Jerrie' Cobb, an extraordinary American aviator who paved the way for women in aviation and space exploration. Cobb's story is one of unrelenting determination and self-belief. Despite passing all the physical and psychological tests for becoming an astronaut, she was barred from space due to societal and institutional sexism. Cobb, along with other female pilots, took their fight to Congress in the early 1960s, ultimately contributing to the broader civil rights movement. Though she never made it to space, her legacy lives on in the opportunities she created for future generations of female astronauts.

Sources today are:

The New York Times

Nasa.gov

The Independent newspaper

RealClearPublicAffairs

the washington Post

and the websites of

the NY Metropolitan Library

and the US Congress

00:00 Introduction and Excitement
01:26 Meet Geraldine 'Jerry' Cobb
02:23 Early Life and Passion for Flying
06:29 Challenges and Determination
08:45 Recognition and Achievements
14:57 NASA and the Mercury 13 Program
20:05 The Grueling Tests of Aspiring Astronauts
22:22 Facing Structural Sexism in NASA
23:12 Taking the Fight to Congress
29:40 The Impact of the Civil Rights Act
33:34 Jerry Cobb's Legacy and Recognition
39:11 Honoring Jerry Cobb's Contributions