International Space Station Launches First Female Commander

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I don't want to say that women have been underrepresented in aeronautics in the United States; there have, in fact, been a few of note. That said, how many female astronauts can you name right now that didn't either explode in a tragic disaster or implode in a jealous rage? If you said "Sally Ride," you're not at all uncommon. It's just a fact that, in this particular area of intrepid-adventure expertise, women are an outnumbered lot.

This month, however, history aims to add at least one more name to the shortlist of successes: Peggy Whitson has been named the new commander of the International Space Station -- the first female to hold the title since its inception in the 1970s -- relieving previous commander Clay Anderson as his six month post draws to a close.

Now, am I just too sensitive, or is it in our nature as a nation to stress gender roles a little too overtly when we fear they are being challenged? Does it make your average American feel more comfortable being told that this new commander is not some bullish take-charge woman, but just as darling as you or me? Because boy, oh boy, Ms. Whitson is being reported as having quite the chipper attitude about this mission.

Whitson does have plans for having some fun on the space station. "One of the things I thought was important the last time was movie night, so we would have dinner and a movie," she said. "I would try to come up with something unique like rehydrated hamburgers or create something. The long term advantage is not only camaraderie but keeping everybody happy and upbeat about the mission."

Fun! I hope she screens Bridges of Madison County. It doesn't stop there, either, as the article seeks the opinion of one of Whitson's colleagues.

Astronaut Dan Tani will join Whitson on the space station next week. He has known Peggy Whitson since they were both selected as astronauts in 1996.

"She is a hugger," he said of Whitson. "I love that about her. She hugs everybody when she sees you. She is very friendly, and her house was party central. She threw the best parties, she cooked the best food."

What a sweet gal! I'm already imagining Whitson wearing some sort of space apron and using a retrorocket's heat to bake snickerdoodles, and that's without even mentioning the cute-shoes quote. (That's a gem which I'll leave you, dear reader, to find.) It's like something out of a madcap Doris Day movie, where she ultimately wins the love of fellow astronaut James Garner and they get married on the moon. The hilarious thing is that it's not even just Whitson being pushed into the mold. This is what they have to say of the preceding commander:

Astronaut Clay Anderson will be returning to Earth on the next shuttle mission; he spoke wistfully about missing his family, and a good steak dinner with a loaded baked potato. He may want a beer, too, but it is politically incorrect for an astronaut to even breathe a word about alcohol these days*.

Meat, potatoes, and beer? Oh my! I hope you're happy, Middle America. This is your NASA.

Still, Whitson herself states that she finds the interest surrounding her as the first female commander of the Space Station a little bit uncomfortable. She wants everyone to just focus on the Station itself, she says. In a way, she's right -- these sorts of gender placements, where one can't be simply an astronaut without being dragged down by stereotypes of June Cleaver or a cleaver-wielding lust -- aren't going to go away as long as there's a big deal to be made of women in space from the start. Like it or not, however, until that list of notable space cadets gets a little longer, it's still history being made.

Put that party dress down for a moment, Ms. Whitson, and just be proud.


* Comment refers to this whole ordeal.

_DictionaryGirl_ can only say she always wanted to be an astronaut so many times.

web address: http://suicidegirls.com/news/geek/22512/International-Space-Station-Launches-First-Female-Commander/