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St. Petersburg, June 16 . Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the first female cosmonaut, State Duma deputy Valentina Tereshkova with the Order of Gagarin.
Tereshkova became the first recipient of the newly established Order of Gagarin, receiving it for outstanding services in space exploration, courage and dedication shown during historical flight, as well as active social and international activities.
«Dear Valentina Vladimirovna! Let me address you using your space call sign. Our dear Chaika! First of all, I want to congratulate you on anniversary of your flight,» Putin said.
He noted that after Tereshkova's flight, there were no women in space for more than 19 years: neither the USSR nor the USA sent them.
“In addition to the fact that you have done a great job, well, scientific work, research, besides this, the very fact of the flight of a woman astronaut, of course, was very clear evidence of how women are treated in our country, how women are trusted in our country and how in our country women achieve incredible, sky-high achievements and results in the literal and figurative sense of the word,» the head of state noted.
Putin also noted Tereshkova's enormous contribution to the development of statehood.
«A lot of attention was paid to such important areas of the country's activities as support for motherhood and childhood. You headed a very important structure, the Committee of Soviet Women for many, many years. Now you continue this work as a deputy of the State Duma. We admire what and how you did in the interests of Russia,» he said.
The head of state recalled that the Order of Gagarin is awarded to specific people who have achieved outstanding results in space exploration.
«Of course, by right, this order number one, of course, should be awarded to you. And on the anniversary of your flight, I would like to do this. And I will do it with great pleasure,» the president said.
Putin hugged Tereshkova, shook hands and presented a bouquet of flowers.
«Thank you,» Tereshkova thanked the head of state.
«Thank you very much. Congratulations,» the President said.
Exactly 60 years ago , June 16, 1963, Tereshkova flew. On this day, the Vostok-6 spacecraft launched from Baikonur.
Tereshkova became the sixth among Soviet cosmonauts, the 12th person in space and the youngest woman to have been in space (26 years old). She is still the only woman in the world to have made a solo space flight. All subsequent female cosmonauts and astronauts flew into space only as crew members.