The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut who made history on June 16, 1963. She flew aboard Vostok 6 and completed 48 orbits around Earth during her three-day mission. Tereshkova was chosen from over four hundred applicants and underwent rigorous training to prepare for her spaceflight. Her mission not only demonstrated that women could participate in space exploration but also contributed to scientific research on the effects of space travel on the human body. Tereshkova remains a prominent figure in space history and has inspired many women to pursue careers in science and engineering.