Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley

Foil: 15 Panel: 1 Column: 4 Line: 79

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

My name is Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley. I was born on August 30, 1933. I learned to fly an airplane before I learned to drive a car. I have had interest and passion for flight since I can remember. It was in 1949 when I first soloed. I became a member of the Ninety-Nines, a women's pilot association started by Amelia Earhart in 1951 and flew in six air races in the Powder Puff Derby across The United States.

Not only do I still fly, I hold a commercial pilot's license and multiengine land and water instrument rating, single engine sea, rotor, and glider rating. I am also a Whirly Girl helicopter pilot and one of the Mercury 13. The Mercury 13 was the first group of women trying to become astronauts by the Lovelace foundation, for the first women astronaut program. I received a call on Friday from Dr. Lovelace and was in Albuquerque New Mexico on Monday. I had to leave my job at AT&T as an electrical engineer.

I have a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry and Physics. I received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wisconsin on May 12, 2007. Soon completing the Mercury 13 program I came home and became an accountant. I currently work for the Federal Government in Kansas City. Always believe and follow your dreams. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Who wants to settle for normal when you can be exceptionally unique!