On June 16th 1963, Valentina Tereshkova rode on the Vostok 6 of the Soviet Union, making her the first woman in space. Born to Belarus migrants, Valentina grew up in the Soviet Union, an had an uncharacteristic path to becoming a cosmonaut. 
Ultimately, her love of parachuting and skydiving brought her to the soviet space program.

The total duration of her mission was 2 days, 22 hours, 50 minutes. Her journey was televised and a monument was crafted for her near the coordinates of her landing, 53° 12.563' N	80° 48.237' E. 

Valentina is still alive and, at present, a politician within the Russian government.