Honoring
Women In Aviation and Aerospace
Charting a course through the once unattainable skies, women in Aviation and Aerospace have not only claimed their success but have become the beacon of empowerment for the next generation of trailblazing leaders.
"Within the first two decades of powered flight, female pilots were breaking speed, endurance and altitude records. They were competing and winning against the men in air races, and women on every continent except Antarctica had begun to fly, perform in aerial shows, parachute, and even transport passengers. During World War II, women from every continent helped with war efforts and though mostly restricted from military flight many of the female pilots flew in auxiliary services. In the 1950s and 1960s, women were primarily restricted to serving in support fields such as flight simulation training, air traffic control, and as flight attendants. Since the 1970s, women have been allowed to participate in military service in most countries…”
“Women have been involved in aviation from the beginnings of both lighter-than-air travel and as airplanes, helicopters, and space travel were developed. Women pilots were also formerly called "aviatrices" (singular "aviatrix"). Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry. Aviation also allowed women to "travel alone on unprecedented journeys". Women who have been successful in various aviation fields have served as mentors to younger women, helping them along in their careers.
Resources
Women In Aviation and Aerospace
Stories of Women in STEM: Space
Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) has launched a new book called Women in Space. This free resource has stories from women leaders from the past, present, and future all with a career around Space. We hope this will bring stories about diverse women into more classrooms.
Download the PDF from the ssec.si.edu website