JANET GUTHRIE

By Irene Stuber

Janet Guthrie (b. 03-07-1938) an aerospace engineer, was one of the first four women to qualify for the scientist- astronaut program of NASA and then disqualified when a Ph.D. was made a requirement.

Guthrie was the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500, finishing ninth in 1978. Her other races had engine trouble. * The race officials did not even allow women in the repair and refueling pits at the Indy until a lawsuit in 1972. *

Guthrie could fly more than 20 types of aircraft. She was named to the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 - but never an astronaut although dozens of men were part of the program who did not have advanced degrees.