Tereshkova serves as a role model for girls, especially during a time (early 60's) when non-traditional female role models were few and far between. I was a little girl when she did her flight. Today,I'm a jet pilot (USAF fighters, warbirds, etc.). Her flght inspired me. She made the rank of Major General a few years ago.

Even though she was only sent as a token she was still a young, poor woman who passed rigorous training to even go along for the ride as Q so bluntly put it. She showed amazing skill and interest and proved that women could be put into orbit just as well as, and sometimes better than, men.

It was recently discovered that Vanentina Tereshkova made her flight in a remote controled spacecraft. She had nothing to do with the operation of her space capsule. The Russians operated her spacecraft from the ground . She was just along for the ride

The first woman in space, 20 years before Sally Ride! Gear space pioneer and humanist.