Akron's Space Pioneer: Judith Resnik's Journey

Judith Resnik, a brilliant engineer from Akron, made history as the second American woman in space. She flew aboard the Discovery in 1984, but her life was tragically cut short when the Challenger exploded in 1986. Resnik was always confident about the safety of space missions, even joking that the "gee-whiz" aspect of NASA was over. Born in Akron in 1949, Resnik was a child prodigy who skipped kindergarten and excelled in school. She loved reading, playing piano, and even published a poem in a local newspaper. After graduating as valedictorian, she studied electrical engineering and worked for RCA and Xerox before joining NASA.Resnik's journey to space was not easy. She was one of only six women selected from thousands of applicants. Despite the challenges, she remained focused and determined. Her first mission was a success, and she even sent a message to her dad from space. The Challenger disaster was a national tragedy. Resnik and her crewmates were killed just 73 seconds after liftoff. The accident was caused by a failure in the rocket booster due to cold temperatures. The nation mourned the loss, and President Reagan honored the astronauts in a memorial service. Resnik's legacy lives on in Akron. A school and a women's health center are named after her. Her story inspires young people to pursue their dreams and never give up. Resnik's message to her niece, "Study hard in school — it's really worth it! " still resonates today.