Wally Funk, who broke an age record for space travel, died at 87. In the 1960s, despite her qualifications, she was excluded from NASA's astronaut program based on her gender.

Funk eventually achieved her lifelong ambition to travel to space as an octogenarian, flying aboard a Blue Origin suborbital mission. Her journey highlights the historical barriers women faced in STEM fields and the evolving opportunities in commercial spaceflight.

Her story serves as a reminder of the untapped potential of women in aviation and aerospace, and the progress made toward inclusivity in high-tech industries. The increased participation of women in space exploration, both historically and in modern commercial ventures, signals a broader shift in industry leadership and innovation.