Tereshkova, Valentina (1937–)

Soviet cosmonaut. Name variations: Valya Nikolayeva-Tereshkova. Pronunciation: Ter-yesh-KOH-vah. Born Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, Mar 6, 1937, in Maslennikovo, near Yaroslavl, USSR; dau. of Vladimir Aksyonovich Tereshkov (farmer) and Yelena (Fyodorovna) Tereshkova; graduated from Zhukovsky Aviation Academy as military engineer, 1969; m. Andrian Grigoryevich Nikolayev (cosmonaut), 1963 (div. 1977, died July 2004); children: Yelena (b. 1964).

The world's 10th astronaut and 1st woman in space, who served as chair of the Committee of Soviet Women and a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, started work at 16 in a tire factory; worked at Yaroslavl textile factory, Krasny Perekop (1955–60); joined local airclub (1958) and made 1st parachute jump (1959); completed 160 parachute jumps; became one of the 5 women accepted for cosmonaut training because her qualification as a parachute jumper was nearly as important as experience as a pilot or engineer (1962); joined Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1962); made spaceflight piloting the Vostok 6, which circled the Earth 114–144 miles above the surface, completing an orbit every 89 minutes (June 16, 1963), spending nearly 71 hours in orbit (her flight had been longer than all 4 flights by American astronauts combined); having become a Soviet international star, was sent all over the world to make speeches and meet heads of state and world leaders; spoke at World Congress of Women in Moscow (1963); served as head of the Committee of Soviet Women (1968–87); elected member of the Central Committee (1971); became a member of Soviet Presidium (1974); gained permission to hold a National Congress of Women, dedicated to public discussion of women's issues in the Soviet Union (1986); elected chair of Union of Soviet Friendship Societies (1987). Awarded Hero of the Soviet Union and Order of Lenin.

See also Women in World History.