Woman cosmonaut honoured as the woman of the century

Cold War-era Russian Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova and Former South African President Nelson Mandela , the first woman in space, were honoured in London as world leader and woman of the century.

Each year the International Women of the Year Association honours a female personality for her achievements.

This year, the 45th annual gathering on Wednesday, it decided for the first time to also honour a man and to choose laureates for their contribution to the last century.

Tereshkova, 63, attended the ceremony, where she was named greatest woman achiever of the century.

She made her historic 70-hour space flight aboard the Vostok-Vi on June 16, 1963 after being picked from 1,200 candidates. It was Tereshkova's one and only journey into space but sealed her place in the annals of space history and the women's movement.

According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, “Her unsurpassed successes in the cause of equality, exploration of the outer space for the benefit of peace, and protection of the planet's ecology made her the association's unanimous choice. She now has a moon crater named after her.”
Mandela was honoured as World leader of the century. “By his own example he has taught humanity that hatred and revenge can be transformed into forgiveness, acceptance and positive action,” Mandela's citation read.

Bureau Report