The Women Who Almost Made It to Space

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly

Pensacola’s history is written in the sky. As the home of the nation’s first naval air station, it has shaped generations of aviators, cementing its place in the story of American flight. But not every pioneer got the chance to soar. In the 1960s, a group of highly skilled female pilots known as the Mercury 13 proved its capabilities, passing the same rigorous tests as NASA’s first male astronauts—only to be denied the chance to go to space.

This Women’s History Month, PenArts will bring their story to the stage with “They Promised Her the Moon,” a play that shines a spotlight on the women who dared to reach for the stars.

The play follows the story of Jerrie Cobb, a highly skilled pilot who trained in the privately funded program led by physician William Randolph Lovelace II, a NASA contractor determined to prove women could meet the same qualifications as men to become astronauts. Despite many of the women outperforming their male counterparts in early testing, the U.S. Navy refused to let Lovelace use its facilities at Pensacola NAS for an unofficial program without a NASA or government sponsor.

Director Christine Kellogg was immediately drawn to Cobb’s story and its connection to Pensacola’s rich aviation history.

“Just as Jerrie Cobb was heading to the next phase of NASA training in Pensacola, the Mercury 13 program was abruptly cut,” Kellogg said. “It’s always interesting to see the part that Pensacola has played in our national history.”

For Kellogg, the production is more than just a historical retelling; it’s an opportunity to highlight an overlooked pioneer.

“I was intrigued by the fact that whenever I mentioned the name Jerrie Cobb to someone, they had no idea who she was, yet her accomplishments remain important and impressive,” she said. “Jerrie Cobb was robbed of her chance to make history, because at the time, it was deemed that spending money on women’s space travel was a waste of time and money. The Russians were the first to put a woman in space, much to Jerrie’s chagrin, but she admirably went on to accomplish feats that no one, male or female, had ever done.”

Carsen Campbell, who portrays Cobb in PenArts’ production, was deeply moved by the pilot’s relentless drive and resilience.

“I feel very similar to Jerrie in a lot of ways. She is very much a tomboy and very outspoken when it’s something she’s passionate about,” Campbell said. “But you see in the play, when people start recognizing her for her achievements in aviation, she’s overwhelmed by the attention. That contrast between her public and private self is fascinating.”

Campbell was also struck by Cobb’s refusal to embrace a victim mentality, despite the crushing disappointments she faced.

“She works so hard and fights her entire life to get what she wants, and then it’s taken away in an instant,” Campbell said. “At first, I felt so dejected reading the script. But Christine helped me see that, yes, it’s sad, but Jerrie doesn’t let it define her. She goes on to do incredible things in aviation. She never stops pushing forward.”

That resilience is something Campbell hopes audiences take away from the production. The play also delves into Cobb’s relationship with her mother, who frequently urged her to embrace traditional gender roles and femininity—encouraging her to bake pies and focus on finding a husband rather than pursue a career in aviation.

“This is the 1960s, so those social expectations were deeply ingrained,” Campbell said. “But Jerrie never felt aligned with them. Flying was all she ever wanted to do since she was a child, and she didn’t let anyone get between her and the sky.”

As Campbell explained, the barriers Cobb faced in the 1960s still echo in today’s political climate, making her story as timely as ever. The abrupt cancellation of the women’s space training program led to congressional hearings in July 1962, where lawmakers informally debated whether NASA discriminated against women.

“Not to get too political, but it is striking to be doing this play now, specifically with women’s rights backsliding and everything unfolding locally at the University of West Florida with the new board nominees,” Cambell continued. “The arguments used against Jerrie Cobb at the congressional hearings—claiming women shouldn’t be in space—are eerily similar to the language we hear today from men like Scott Yenor. It’s like we’ve come so far, but now it feels like we’re swinging backward.”

Portraying Cobb throughout various stages of her life has been a unique challenge for Campbell, who also teaches a teen acting class at The Gordon Community Art Center. Several of her students will perform alongside her in the play.

“I’ve been focusing on how to embody her as a 7-year-old, a 12-year-old, a teenager and an adult,” she said. “The scenes where she’s younger are some of my favorites, especially when she’s desperately trying to convince people to let her fly. You can feel how much she wants it, how the sky is the only thing that matters to her.”

Ultimately, “They Promised Her the Moon” is a story of perseverance in the face of systemic barriers. Cobb and the Mercury 13 might not have made it to space, but their contributions paved the way for future generations of female astronauts.

“I hope audiences walk away understanding that women, when not held back by societal expectations, can achieve far more than anyone anticipates,” Campbell concluded. “Jerrie proved that time and time again.”

PenArts Presents “They Promised Her the Moon”

WHAT: A play based on the story of Jerrie Cobb’s life and how she opened the door for women to become astronauts nearly two decades later

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27-Saturday, March 29, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 WHERE: The Gordon Community Art Center, 306 N. DeVilliers St.

COST: $20DETAILS: penarts.org