Gene Nora Jessen

Mercury 13 women attend STS-63 launch
Visiting the space center in 1995 as invited guests of STS-63 Pilot Eileen Collins are (from left) Gene Nora Jessen; Wally Funk; Jerrie Cobb; Jerri Truhill; Sarah Ratley; Myrtle Cagle and Bernice Steadman.

Gene Nora Stumbough Jessen (January 10, 1937 – May 21, 2024) was an American aviator and a member of Mercury 13. Jessen worked throughout her career as a flight instructor, demonstration pilot, advisor to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and president of the Ninety-Nines. Jessen also wrote about flying and the history of women in flight. Together with Wally Funk, Jessen was one of the last two surviving members of Mercury 13, until her death in 2024.