Florida to celebrate anniversary of women in space with astronaut meet & tea event next week

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. The red lady; November, 6, 2015. Photo by Christopher Dombres | Flickr

​We've all heard of Sally Ride, but according to NASA, the era of women in space began on June 16, 1963, when a Soviet cosmonaut, Valentina V. Tereshkova, launched aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. 60 years later, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aims to celebrate the achievements of female astronauts by way of a special 40th-anniversary celebration.

The Kennedy Space Center invites visitors to join them at their Visitor Complex at 3:30 pm on June 15 and 16 for the Women in Space Afternoon Tea. The event will feature a panel of female trailblazers of the industry, discussing their personal experiences in their respective fields over tea, hors d'oeuvres, and champagne.

Commemorative gifts will also be given to all event-goers, alongside a few activities such as an interactive scavenger hunt, chalk art installations, and more.

Separately ticketed from admission to the Kennedy Space Center, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions in a small personalized setting, as well as have the chance to have a private meet and greet with these iconic females from the field. Tickets cost $83 per person.

According to a release announcing the event, the panel of women set to speak will be different depending on which of the two days you decide to attend. The full schedule of speakers is listed as follows:

June 15

• Anna Fisher — Retired NASA Astronaut
• Kathy Thornton — Retired NASA Astronaut
• Colonel Erin R. Gulden — Senior Materiel Leader, Launch Execution National Security Space Launch, US. Space Force

June 16

• Anna Fisher — Retired NASA Astronaut
• Vanessa Wyche — Director; Johnson Space Center (JSC)
• Noelle Zietsman — Vice President and Chief Engineer; Boeing Exploration Systems (BES)
• Janet Kavandi — President & Chief Science Officers of Sierra Space

For a brief overview of the 40th Anniversary of Women in Space Afternoon Tea, check out the end card below.

40th Anniversary of Women in Space Afternoon Tea
When: June 15 and 16, 2023, starting at 3:30 pm.
Where: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953
How Much: $83 per person; separately ticketed event from admission to the Kennedy Space Center; includes your afternoon of tea, hors d'oeuvres, champagne, private meet and greet, and commemorative gifts in a small, personalized setting.
Tickets
Website
Article by Rachael Volpe