Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer and trailblazer for women, has passed away at the age of 87. Her remarkable career spanned eight decades, during which she broke barriers and inspired generations. From earning her pilot's license as a teenager to becoming the first female flight instructor and flight inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Funk's achievements are truly remarkable.
However, her most notable achievement was her unfulfilled dream of becoming an astronaut. Despite her exceptional performance in the Mercury 13 program, where she out-tested the future senator John Glenn, NASA refused to send a woman into space. This rejection was despite the fact that Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova had already completed a solo, three-day, 48-orbit journey in Vostok 6 in 1963. Funk's determination and passion for aviation led her to train in Russia at the Yuri Gagarin Centre in Star City near Moscow, where she conducted zero-gravity weightless training in a specially equipped Ilyushin 76 cargo plane.
In 2021, at the age of 82, Funk finally achieved her dream of space travel when she joined Jeff Bezos and his brother on a sub-orbital flight on Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft. She became the oldest person to fly into space and the oldest woman in space, breaking records and inspiring future generations. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, as she faced numerous challenges and obstacles throughout her career.
Born Mary Wallace Funk in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Funk grew up in the town of Taos, where her parents ran a five-and-dime store catering to tourists. Her love for aviation began at a young age, and she started flying at the age of five, jumping from a barn onto a bale of hay wearing a Superman cape. This early exposure to aviation and her adventurous spirit set the stage for her remarkable career.
Funk's dedication to aviation and her commitment to breaking barriers for women in the field are truly inspiring. Her achievements and legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of aviators and astronauts. Her story is a reminder that with determination and passion, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.
