Women replaced men in aircraft factories during WWII. Most were laid off after the war, but some continued to pave the way for future females as aircraft mechanics and technicians.
By Giacinta Bradley Koontz TRIBUTES TO WOMEN IN AVIATION Continuing the search for Commemoration of American Aviation History
“Although pilots are the stars of our show, women were active in every fi eld of aviation. All of us, men and women alike, need their stories and their inspiration. Remembrance is a sign of honor.”
Kirk House, “Flying High, Pioneer Women in American Aviation”
which honor female pilots and astronauts. There have been many women who achieved recognition for their pioneer fl ying but many more who remain obscure and unknown. Here are a few of the most prominent early American ladies with wings.
M 03 2014 16
arch is recognized in the U.S. as “women in aviation” month, which caused me to focus my search for commemorative aviation sites on those
Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) was the fi rst black
woman in the U.S. to hold a pilot’s license. Banned from all-white and all-male fl ight schools, she took fl ying lessons in France and Germany between 1920 and 1921. Returning to the U.S., she made exhibition fl ights in a surplus military biplane. Known as “Queen Bess,” she made daring, skillful fl ights until the accident that killed both her and her mechanic in 1926, at Jacksonville, FL. Tributes to
All photos in this story are from the author’s collection or from Internet images unless otherwise noted.
DOMmagazine
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