NASA (Photo : Reuters/Carlos Barria)
One of the few women chosen to train for NASA's space program Mercury 13 and a pioneer woman aviator, Bernice Steadman has passed away at the age of 89, according to a report by the Associated Press. She was one of the 13 females who were supposed to undergo training in the early 1960s.
What was supposed to be a once in a lifetime outer space experience for Steadman did not become a reality when NASA decided not to push through with the program. It took more than two decades for an American woman to finally reach outer space.
During her lifetime, she was able to overcome obstacles and lived a colorful life, according to husband, Robert, to whom she was married for 56 years.
At an early age, tragedy has struck her when she lost her father and siblings to a fire that burned their house to the ground. Being the only survivor, she strived hard to be the best in everything she did.
Even while she was working at a spark plug inspection line, she was already dreaming to fly a plane. She took flying lessons and became a licensed pilot even before she got her driver's license.
Known as "B" to her friends, Steadman put up Trimble Aviation and became a flight instructor. It was also where she met her husband, who was one of her students.
She also received numerous awards for races she joined, which included the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race.
She was given the highest honor any pilot can receive, an Airline Transport Rating while the Michigan Aeronautics Commission gave her a Michigan Outstanding Pilot Award.
A story on Mercury 13 and the women who almost made it on space was featured in Neatorama in 2013.
