Which nation was the first to send a woman into space?

Explanation

Valentina Vladimirovna Teresjkova (born 1937) was a Soviet cosmonaut. On 16 June 1963 she was sent into space on Vostok 6 and thus became the first woman in space. She was selected to be a cosmonaut in 1962 because she was an amateur parachutist, and chosen among more than 400 applicants. Because of her prominence she was elected for several political posts and was a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet 1974-1989.