Mary Wallace "Wally" Funk

Born: 1939

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Stephens College AA 1958; Oklahoma State University BS Secondary Education

Field of Study: Astronautics

Institution/Corporation: FAA; NTSB

Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: Stephens College (2006), University of Wisconsin (2007); Member: Flying Susie s, Alpha Chi Omega

Awards: 1953, Distinguished Rifleman s Award; at Oklahoma State University won Outstanding Female Pilot, Flying Aggie Top Pilot, Alfred Adler Memorial Trophies 2 years in succession; 1964, Stephens College Alumna Achievement Award; 1965, 1 of the Outstanding Young Women in America; 2017, name inscribed on Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum s Wall of Honor; 2022, R.A.Bob Hoover Trophy, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; 2022, Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime Achievement, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum; FAA Gold Seal as a Flight Instructor; 2010, Oklahoma State University Aviation Hall of Fame; 2012, Aeronautics & Aerospace Award Gold Medal & Citation, VFW; 2013, inducted into Library of Congress; 2014, Excellence in Community Service Award, DAR

Achievements: 1st female FAA (1971) & NTSB (1974) inspector; only one of the Mercury 13 to go into space; oldest female to fly into space (July 20, 2021 at age 82); 1st female flight instructor at a US military base (Ft. Sill, OK); became a professional aviator at age 20; 1973, 1st US female FAA SWAP (Systems Worthiness Analysis Program) specialist; participated in numerous air races, winning 1975 Pacific Air Race from San Diego to Santa Rosa, California; chief pilot of 5 aviation schools including Emory Aviation College (1987); youngest person awarded the Stephens College Alumna Achievement Award