In March, the country celebrates women’s achievements and the importance of math and science education, including Women’s History Month, Pi Day, and Celebrate Scientists Day observances. Coming in April, JA’s theatre department will shine a spotlight on the life of Jerrie Cobb, a pilot and aviator influential in the space program.
“They Promised Her the Moon” is about the woman who almost became the first female astronaut. The story follows Cobb’s struggle to enter the space program. JA junior Henley Nance will play the role of Jerrie Cobb in her early years. Like Jerrie Cobb, Henley has faced and overcome some challenges in her life.
Cobb was a part of the Mercury 13, a group of women who underwent physiological testing to qualify for the astronaut program. She was the first woman to complete these tests, conducted at the same time as the tests for the Mercury 7, the men who eventually became astronauts. In the 1960s, Cobb wrote a book called “Woman Into Space: The Jerrie Cobb Story,” in which she discussed the role of women in the space program. Even though this aviator and pilot excelled in the astronaut testing and was determined to overcome obstacles in a male-dominated field, becoming an astronaut remained out of her reach, as Congress voted to keep women out of space.
Henley Nance admits that she never thought she would be able to be in an AP (Advanced Placement) class because of her dyslexia. She believed that dyslexia defined her and that she would never excel in school. However, with the help of the fantastic JA Resource team and understanding teachers, she achieved being in an AP class. Henley also has been honored by being inducted into academic honoraries in math, English, and social studies.
Now her favorite subjects are math and science, and she excels in those subjects as well as singing, dancing, public speaking, and acting. Henley believes that she can achieve something if she sets her mind to it. Her advice to her younger self is to never underestimate herself, to be herself, and to believe that she can do anything. Like the character she portrays, Henley is determined to overcome obstacles and be the best version of herself in everything she does. See Henley and other students in “They Promised Her the Moon,” April 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m. and April 20 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the PAC. Mark your calendar!
