HomeMy Public PortalAboutAB 18-179 Jessen ProclamationMcCALL CITY COUNCIL 216 East Park Street
AGENDA BILL McCall, Idaho 83638
Number AB 18-179
Meeting Date July 12, 2018
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION
SUBJECT:
Request to Proclaim July 14, 2018 as Gene Nora Jessen Day in McCall
Department Approvals
Initials
Originator
or
Supporter
Mayor / Council
City Manager
/
Clerk
Treasurer
Community Development
Police Department
Public Works
Golf Course
COST IMPACT:
n/a
Parks and Recreation
FUNDING SOURCE:
n/a
Airport
/
originator
Library
TIMELINE:
To be presented July 14, 2018
Information Systems
Grant Coordinator
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Aviation legend Gene Nora Jessen will be presenting a talk titled “The Mercury 13” at the Airport Open House Saturday July 14, 2018. Gene Nora Jessen has fostered aviation growth and
shared the love of flight both locally and on the international stage. The attached proclamation declares July 14, 2018 Gene Nora Jessen Day in McCall in appreciation for sharing her
unique knowledge with the citizens of McCall.
Marcia Franklin of The Boise Weekly writes:
NASA in the 1960s and 70s was closed to female astronauts, because they had to be military test pilots. But in 1960, Dr. William Randolph Lovelace II, a member of a NASA committee, had
a hunch that female pilots could pass the same tests given the male candidates for the Mercury 7 program. He was correct, and 13 women passed his privately-funded, secret tests. The
last round of testing was halted by NASA and then-Vice President Lyndon Johnson, though. It was just too controversial. The women went on to other careers, many in aviation. Over the
years, their story came out, and they were dubbed the “Mercury 13.”
Meridian resident Gene Nora Jessen, 81, one of the original Mercury 13, has a featured role in the new Netflix documentary, Mercury 13, which premiered on Friday, April 20,2018 and includes
scenes filmed at the Tower Grill at the Nampa Municipal Airport. Jessen, who came to Idaho with her husband Bob in 1967, is an accomplished pilot, air racer and flight instructor, as
well as the co-owner of Boise Air Service from 1984-2005. She’s also the author of three books.
Idaho Public Television producer and host Marcia Franklin caught up with Jessen to ask her about the documentary and to get her thoughts on being an “astro-not,” as Jessen dubs herself.
Ultimately, she’s rather nonchalant about the experience. “We didn’t do anything,” she told Franklin. “We just took a little physical exam and it was kind of an adventure. But they
do say that we’re the pioneers in this, so I guess we’ll accept that.”
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Proclaim July 14, 2018 to be Gene Nora Jessen Day in the City of McCall and authorize the Mayor to sign the proclamation.
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE
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