Emi R

The Legacy of Jerrie Cobb

Emi Runge

Yarmouth High School, Grade 10

Jerrie Cobb, an unsung heroine, remains an inspiration to many. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she continued to persist and fought against the prevalent injustices that afflicted women during her time. As one of twelve women who underwent the same rigorous training as the male Mercury 13 astronauts, and were just as successful, (or more), Jerrie Cobb proved that women were just as capable as men in space exploration, and continued to recommend many female friends of hers to the program. Even after, she continued to advocate for women's inclusion in the space program, highlighting their capabilities before Congress in 1962, highlighting an investigation into the role of women in space. Her strength, determination, and belief in equality in a male-dominated profession remain an inspiration to this day, paving the way for women behind her.

The most important thing about my unsung hero is how she challenged gender barriers in the field of space exploration. The National Air and Space Museum talks about how Cobb started as a pilot, first flying at the age of 12, and getting her license at the age of 17. She was the first test subject for NASA to help determine their first astronauts, demonstrating that women were just as qualified as men. Although she never flew in space, she founded the Women's International Space Service for Education and became a humanitarian pilot. Cobb's legacy inspires individuals, particularly women who are breaking down gender barriers in the field of space exploration. I wanted to express how she is an inspiration for women everywhere, who desire a future in this field. I admire her strength in the face of adversity, and how she set such a positive example for future generations.

In my art piece, I aimed to represent Jerrie Cobb in a non-traditional self-portrait that dives deeper into her life story. The artwork depicts Cobb rising from the earth, stretching an arm towards the stars above, and with her other arm, lowering a ladder behind for a group of women and young girls to follow in her footsteps. Despite not being able to fulfill her dream of space exploration, Cobb's legacy lives on through the women who she inspired to follow her path. To her right is the capsule of the Mercury 13 program, which Cobb successfully passed all the tests for, but was denied becoming an actual astronaut because she was a woman. This serves as a reminder of the obstacles she faced. Below her are two airplanes, similar to the ones that Cobb would have flown when she got her pilot’s license, and represent her beginnings and her young passion for reaching the sky. Her skirt is a subtle lavender, representing her femininity, which she refused to hide. Although Cobb may not have become an astronaut herself, she spent her life creating equality and acceptance for women at NASA and other space exploration corporations, and her impact on the world of space exploration is undeniable. 

Through the creation of this artwork, I gained knowledge about a woman who challenged the oppressive societal norms and the unfair treatment of women in the field of space exploration. Her bravery and resilience have encouraged me to stand up against the injustices that I encounter in my everyday life. Since my Drawing and Painting class is participating in an art show at our town library, Merrill Memorial Library, located in Yarmouth, Maine, I intend to showcase my artwork in hopes of generating interest in the project itself and inspiring others with Jerrie Cobb’s story. To conclude, I feel grateful for being a part of this project and having these experiences. I have gained a newfound appreciation for the work that Cobb achieved in her lifetime, and like her, I aspire to make a lasting difference in whatever I pursue in the future.