Program

2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Sally Ride's historic launch into space. Yet few people know that in the early days of the US space program, 13 American women were secretly tested to be astronauts. When the scored well--perhaps too well--NASA scrapped the program.

Martha Ackmann, a Mount Holyoke College professor, is the author of "The Mercury 13" (Random House). She has presented lectures at Kennedy Space Center, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and at many colleges, science museums and libraries across the country. She has been featured on the "Today" show as well as CBS, CNN, NPR and the BBC.

"The Mercury 13" is the perfect program to celebrate the Sally Ride anniversary. It's also a favorite for National Women's History Month events.