Wanda Has Pursued Her Dream of Space Travel for 60 Years — And Now, at 82, She’s Getting Her Opportunity

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Last week, tech mogul John Bezos announced that 82-year-old Wanda Lee will be a passenger on the first crewed flight of his New Shepard spacecraft. Upon hearing the news, I couldn’t contain my excitement and left Wanda a heartfelt voicemail. “I’m thrilled for you!” I exclaimed. “Wanda, you truly deserve this. You’ve worked hard for it.”

Wanda has been striving for this moment since 1961, when she participated in preliminary astronaut testing under the guidance of a NASA-affiliated doctor. Her journey is both complex and inspiring. To give you a brief overview: In the early days of crewed spaceflight, NASA astronauts were required to be elite pilots who could pass rigorous medical and psychological evaluations. In 1959, seven pilots were selected as the nation’s first astronauts, all of whom were white males.

The doctor overseeing NASA’s astronaut testing later conducted assessments on a group of elite female aviators to evaluate their potential. However, these tests were not affiliated with NASA and were funded privately. Despite this, they were crucial for understanding how women might perform in spaceflight.

In total, nineteen courageous women underwent testing, with thirteen—Wanda included—achieving remarkable results. For a fleeting moment, it seemed they might find careers in space. However, NASA soon intervened, ending the program before the women could approach a spacecraft. It was a disheartening setback, but not enough to deter Wanda. She applied to NASA multiple times, only to face rejections each time. Yet, her determination didn’t wane. She explored every opportunity for space travel, training in Russia’s Star City and investing in Virgin Galactic, driven by her passion for space.

But Wanda’s story isn’t solely about her quest for space; she also built a remarkable life on Earth. Aviation has always been her passion, and she dedicated herself to teaching over 3,000 individuals to fly. She broke barriers as one of the first female accident investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board and the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Authority. Throughout her journey, she inspired countless children and Girl Scout troops with motivational speeches while continuing to pursue her love for flying. With an incredible flight log of 19,600 hours, her enthusiasm is contagious—she even inspired me, a hesitant writer, to take flight lessons.

The fact that Wanda is finally going to space is nothing short of magical; it’s the joyful conclusion she has long desired. However, unlike the predictable happy endings we often see in films, real life is filled with challenges. People face disappointments, adapt, and forge new paths forward. Wanda exemplified this resilience with a rich Plan B that flourished despite decades of rejection.

Isn’t this a lesson our children could learn? Pursuing a passion may not always lead to the expected destination, but it can certainly open doors to extraordinary adventures. Perhaps we should update the old saying: Aim for the stars, kids. Because even if you miss, you could end up loving your career at the FAA.

Bezos’s decision to include an octogenarian on this flight addresses long-standing inequalities, but Wanda has long created her own happy ending. He merely provides her with the opportunity to relish a few moments in zero gravity.

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In summary, Wanda Lee’s long-awaited journey to space is a testament to perseverance and passion. Her story teaches us that while the road may be filled with obstacles, the pursuit of our dreams can lead to fulfilling and unexpected outcomes.


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