Intertribal Life Newspaper -

Mary Golda Ross (1908-2008)

Aerospace Pioneer

The only Native American Indian female member of a “think tank” to design manned orbital space system concepts, Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee) was born in 1908 near Park Hill, a small Oklahoma town.

A gifted child, she was taught early that education was a valuable resource, and that it was as important for girls as for boys. To receive the best opportunities for an Indian youngster of her era, Mary was sent to live with her grandparents in Tahlequah.

By age 16, she had graduated high school. She enrolled in Northeastern State Teacher’s C...