American Girl (December 1961) "Countdown for Cindy"

The December 1961 issue of American Girl was about women in space. Here is the 3rd "space" article from the issue, an excerpt from the upcoming book: "Countdown for Cindy".

"I have it on good authority that the world's first moon nurse is a faithful user of Perma-perf, our sponsor's own all-purpose galactic scent, that out-of-this-world perfume..."

 "It's not going to be easy. The first woman to invade any field that has been exclusively male has a lot to prove."

 "Are women going to take over space flight and leave men behind in the kitchens and nurseries?"

 1962 Hardcover version

The cover painting to the 1964 paperback version of the book

American Girl (December 1961) "Dining Out in Space"

The 1961 issue of American Girl was dedicated to women in space. Here is the second article (of 3) "Dining Out in Space"

 "Would you like to go out--far out-- to dinner? your spaceman asks you."  

 "Your Whirlpool Space Kitchen!"

 "It seems a shame to have to dine by yourself on your first big space date, but space eating is very exclusive!"

 "...you realize this is one of the craziest dinner dates you've ever had. Of course, you'll tell all your friends back home about it, but will they believe it?"

American Girl (December 1961) "Lots of Room in Space for Women"

From 1917 until 1979 Girl Scouts of the USA published a magazine, originally called "The Rally" (1917–1920) and then "American Girl".

 I came across this issue dedicated to women in the space program. It is unusual to find material addressed directly to girls about careers in the space program. This December 1961 issue had a couple of articles so I will break up my postings of the articles into 3 also.

The first thing to notice is the "sexist" language (even if it is aimed at girls) using terms and references like: dainty, petticoats, discussion of dating, Jill-of-all-trades, 

 "These tests are already proving that women can withstand the stresses in space as well as men--- sometimes even better."

 "When she is not bowling with her Air Force pilot husband, she's cooking for him, naturally!"

 "When I first got the job I made up my mind I wouldn't stare at them all the time, even though they were famous. Then she adds with a vivacious smile, 'But they're not bad to look at'"

"Maybe that first woman to plant her dainty toes on the dusty surface of the moon will be you."

The Club of Young Cosmonauts (1966)

A very interesting and rare item today, The Club of Young Cosmonauts. This was a supplement to the magazine "The Young Technician." It contained a fold-out sheet of suggestions how to start your own "Space club" with your friends. The illustrations suggest ways you could advertise it, ways to learn about space history, and some other ways you could promote a joint interest in space flight. The drawings are not very detailed but it is a interesting artifact of soviet children's life during the space age.

 Fig. 9 shows animals. Which of them were in space?