Biographies
Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley
Born in Kansas City, Kan., Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley was working for AT&T as an electrical engineer when she was solicited by Dr. Lovelace for testing. She received the phone call on Saturday, and she was in Albuquerque, N.M., at the clinic on Monday.
Educationally, she was as qualified as any Mercury 7 astronaut, with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics, with minors in physics and chemistry. At 28, she held a commercial pilot’s license, with airplane single and multi-engine land ratings, single engine sea, instrument, rotor and glider ratings.
A free-spirited person, Ratley participated in six All Women Transcontinental Air Races, also known as the Powder Puff Derby, and numerous other races, including the International Women’s Air Race.
When the Mercury 13 testing was complete, she left AT&T and became an accountant. She now works for the IRS in Kansas and still enjoys flying her Cessna 172 for fun.
Download Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley commendation (pdf)