USAO’s President Hale attends Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for ‘Hidden Figures’ and other NASA contributors
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma President Kayla Hale was recently invited by Congressman Frank Lucas to attend a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in Washington, D.C., honoring the contributions of women to NASA’s space program. The ceremony was held in recognition of the “Hidden Figures” and other women who played a pivotal role in early space exploration from 1930-1970.
“It’s an incredible honor to attend this ceremony and witness the recognition of women who have made an indelible impact,” said Hale. “The Oklahoma College for Women played a crucial role in empowering women to pursue careers in STEM at a time when such opportunities were rare. I am deeply proud of this university’s enduring legacy and the role we continue to play in shaping future generations of leaders, scientists and innovators.”
The OCW, USAO’s predecessor institution, was instrumental in providing women with access to higher education during an era when opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics were limited. OCW graduates went on to excel in mathematics, engineering and other scientific fields, including contributing to NASA’s breakthroughs during the Space Race and beyond.
Pioneer aviator Jerrie Cobb attended the OCW for only one year in 1948. She was chosen as the first woman to undergo astronaut testing in 1959 in the infancy of the space age as America began selecting her first astronauts. She trained to become the first woman to fly in space. Further, she was the first and only woman to successfully pass all three phases of Mercury astronaut tests. Promising her an early space flight, NASA appointed her as a consultant to the space program, but kept her grounded for three years when politics entered the space race. Denied the opportunity to go into space, she turned to humanitarian service, spending 30 years flying food and medical supplies to Amazon tribes.
In 2003, after a 55-year career in aviation -- including dozens of top flying awards from around the world and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination -- Cobb was inducted into the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Alumni Hall of Fame.
Today, USAO remains committed to providing opportunities for women in STEM, carrying forward the legacy of the Oklahoma College for Women. Through its rigorous academic programs and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, USAO continues to cultivate an environment where students, regardless of gender, can pursue excellence in science and innovation.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides
a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary
core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity
of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive
lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.