In 1995, then eleven year-old Valerie Ambrosie won an essay competition designed to generate a name for the Mars rover. Ambrosie suggested that the rover be named after Sojourner Truth, a famous abolitionist and women’s right advocate. Ambrosie wrote in her essay, chosen from over 3,500 entries, “It’s only logical that the Pathfinder be named Sojourner Truth, because she is on a journey to find truths about Mars. The Pathfinder should have strong personalities in order to go under harsh conditions like that on Mars. Truth, while on tours, went under many harsh conditions. Even before, she went under harsh conditions as a slave.” Ambrosie was the valedictorian of her eighth grade class and is on full scholarship to Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield, Connecticut. Sojourner is currently exploring the surface of Mars.
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