For a long time, the thresholds of aeronautics were almost insurmountable for women, as was the case in most disciplines and industries. However, for some years now, the strength and tenacity that characterizes women led them to create a very important space for themselves in history, leaving behind great inventions and a feminine historical legacy. Many of them became benchmarks and a source of pride for humanity. An example of the above are women aviators. Women who conquered heaven with effort and who, today, are remembered as those responsible for great transformations. In this Supercurioso article we will talk about some of them, so… Let’s fly!
Women aviators who innovated the industry and led it towards modernity
Before we begin, we want to give an honorable mention to the witches of the night, also known as the Nachthexen. We have not included them because they are a group of women, but be sure to get to know them. Also, do not miss these curiosities of airplanes, ideal for flying with these historical women.
1. Elise Leontine Deroche
Also known as Raymonde Laroche, this first of the female aviators was, also, the first woman in history to get a pilot’s license. This happened just two months after the first commercial flights were inaugurated (1910).
The aviator was born into a humble French family in 1882. Despite having formed a career as an actress, she decided to dedicate her life to aviation, achieving important achievements such as the women’s altitude record (15,700 feet); the world record as the first woman to travel 323 km and the recognition of being the first test pilot.
Elise is killed while attempting a landing maneuver.
2.Emma Lilian Todd
Among the women aviators, recognition must be given to Emma Todd, the first woman aircraft designer. Emma, a native of the city of Washington, worked as a secretary for more than 20 years, until on a trip to London she found the inspiration necessary to start designing her own airplanes.
The talent of women shaped exhibits at Madison Square Garden, achieved major sponsorships and some of its models were used by famous test pilots. The woman also founded the first flying club for children in 1908.
3. Amy Johnson
We continue our list of women aviators with this important English aviator. Amy was a licensed Vocational Aviator, earned at the age of 26. After only a year of entering the world of aviation, Amy accomplished an amazing feat: soloed the globe in 19 days; His journey originated in England and culminated in Australia.
Sadly, her career was short-lived: Amy was killed in a plane crash over the Thames Estuary on a routine flight in World War II.
4. Amelia Earthart
A truly legendary woman, headstrong and committed since her childhood. She is thus the next of the female aviators. The American aviator has gone down in history for try to go around the world along the line of Ecuador. And, for leaving us, words of motivation, which we share with you in this article from Amelia Earhart quotes.
Throughout his career he achieved achievements such as the altitude record of, 14000 feetHe obtained a federal pilot’s license and even built an airstrip.
Amelia dies on the second attempt to achieve her dream and, even today, her disappearance is one of the great mysteries of aviation.
5. Maria Neta Snook
Born in 1896 in the United States, Maria Neta Snook enters the list of female aviators for to be the first female pilot in Iowa and the first to have the possibility of accessing a regulated pilot school. From a young age, the woman was characterized by a tremendous passion for machines, technology and airplanes. Thanks to this, she became the first woman to run a company in the commercial aviation sector.
However, she is highly remembered for being the flight instructor of the famous Amelia Earthart.
6. Harriet Quimby
Although Raymonde de la Roche had become the first woman to obtain a license some time before, Quimby did not stop at just getting it; on the contrary, she managed to surpass her predecessor, reaching an unthinkable record for a woman a few years before: she became the first woman to cross the English Channel. For this great feat, today she is part of the list of the most famous female aviators.
7.Jerrie Mock
The list of female aviators continues to grow; now it is the turn of a housewife who gave everything to grow within the industry. In the midst of her monotony, Mock took a big risk when he decided to go around the worldon a trip that began on March 19, 1964. The woman flew in a second-hand Cessna 180 single-engine, which allowed her to return to her starting point after 29 days in the air.
8. Bessie Coleman
This member of the women aviators became a the first woman of African American origin and the first Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Despite the fact that African-Americans did not have access to pilot schools in the United States, women did not allow themselves to be limited; she took French classes and went to France to teach with experienced pilots. Upon returning to the United States, her fame increased due to her incredible air shows. She was known as Queen Bess.
9. Therese Peltier
Another of the female aviators who broke an important record: to be the first woman to pilot a heavier-than-air aircraft. The woman learns to fly by accompanying her great friend Dalagrange in his aerial demonstrations. Over time, she dares to fly solo in a demonstration over the Turin military square; that’s when she becomes the one first woman in history to pilot a heavier-than-air powered aircraft.
When her friend dies in a plane crash, Thérèse gives up her career in the industry.
10. Valentina Tereshkova
A pilot for whom, literally, the sky was not the limit. The last of the women aviators was a Soviet pilot who has the recognition of Be the first woman to travel into space. She was chosen among 400 candidates and completed 48 Earth orbits in less than 3 days.
Other women you will want to meet and will inspire you
As we have already mentioned, women are the great protagonists in history and their participation in the different disciplines will help us demonstrate it:
Thus we come to the end of our list of female aviators. Surely they have become the inspiration to know that as long as you have the desire, the desire and the will there are no unbreakable limits, not even the sky. Before you go, let us know your thoughts and comments, we can’t wait to hear from you!