There have been many remarkable women who have contributed to the field of aviation throughout history. From Amelia Earhart to Sally Ride, these women have inspired others to pursue their dreams and reach for the stars.
Women have been at the forefront of aviation, breaking records or blazing trails. Here are five famous women in aviation who made history.
1. Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart is one of the most iconic figures in aviation history. She was the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean independently and set numerous other records during her lifetime. Sadly, she disappeared during a flight over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 and was never seen again.
2. Bessie Coleman
The first female African American licensed pilot was Bessie Coleman. She overcame incredible odds to achieve her dream, as no schools would admit her because of her race and gender.
Coleman’s career was cut short when she was killed in a plane crash while preparing for an air show in Florida. But, despite her brief career, Coleman made a lasting impact on the world of aviation and inspired other women to pursue their dreams.
3. Sally Ride
In 1983, Sally Ride made history by going into space for the first time. A talented athlete, she was recruited by NASA after completing her Ph.D. in physics. She went on two space shuttle missions before retiring from astronaut life in 1987.
After leaving NASA, Sally became a teacher and an advocate for science education for young girls.
After the Challenger disaster, Ride continued to work for NASA as a special assistant to the administrator and as head of the Space Station Task Group. She later left NASA in 1989 to become a professor at the University of California, San Diego.
4. Julie Payette
Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut who has completed two space shuttle missions, including a stint as commander of the International Space Station.
She is also an accomplished musician and has served as the governor-general of Canada since 2017.
5. Eileen Collins
Eileen Collins (born 1956) is an American retired astronaut and former military officer. She was the first female Space Shuttle commander She flew on three different space shuttle missions. In 2005, she retired from NASA after 27 years of service.
In addition to her aviation accomplishments, Collins has also written two books about her experiences as an astronaut.
6. Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was born in 1906 in Pensacola, Florida. She was a talented pilot and a leading figure in promoting women in aviation. She joined the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II and flew many combat missions. After the war, she continued to fly and set numerous world records.
She was the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound and the first woman to pilot a jet aircraft. Cochran paved the path for upcoming generations of female pilots and inspired female pilots worldwide.
Whether you want to become a commercial pilot or like to learn how to fly for fun, you have plenty of options. So get out there and start exploring the world from above!
