The first female test driver
Every now and then I come across a really inspiring story about pioneering women. It takes me back for a moment because a lot of the young women I know who are involved in motorsports today think they’re the first of their kind.
The story I read is about a woman named Betty Skelton Erde, now 82 years old, who was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America today. At one time she was the fastest woman on earth, setting female land speed records at Daytona Beach and the Bonneville salt flats. She was soon picked up by Chevy as a spokeswoman and test driver.
But even prior to all that, she was flying planes right out of high school and learned how to do airplane stunts. At age 33 she was the first woman to undergo NASA’s physical and psychological tests for astronauts.
A gutsy woman this full of talent would break news doing these activities in this day in age, not to mention back in the 50s and 60s. Compared to the ideal norm 50-60 years ago, present day women drivers or pilots have substantially less to complain about in terms of being in a male-dominated field.
Her story can speak for anyone who chooses to pursue their own dreams regardless of society’s expectations. I know it speaks to me.
Source:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3q2HlMnpAmP7g7tUn9yyw6CJW4QD92HDSD80
Intresting story, I never heard of this woman untill now she accomplished alot.