Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova – a Soviet pilot-cosmonaut, the first woman in space (1963), Hero of the Soviet Union (1963), Major General (1995). Valentina Tereshkova was born in 1937 in Yaroslavl Oblast. To help her family after her father's death, after finishing seven years of schooling she went to work at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant. In 1955 she received a secondary education certificate from an evening school. Tereshkova also worked in light industry, was actively involved in public life, and enjoyed parachuting and playing the domra.

 

The idea of sending a woman into space belonged to Sergei Korolev. Tereshkova successfully passed the selection, was enrolled in the cosmonaut corps and was drafted into active military service. On 16 June 1963 she made a historic flight, spent three days in Earth orbit and became the first woman in space.

 

After the spaceflight Tereshkova began to build a military career. In 1966 she began to participate in political activities and became a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Since 2008 she began to take an active part in the work of the United Russia party and was elected to the State Duma. Valentina Tereshkova's achievements have been recognized with numerous domestic and foreign awards. A lunar crater, streets, museums and schools have been named in her honor.