Harriet Quimby in her monoplane after becoming the first female pilot in the US to earn a pilot's certificate in 1911.
The first to grab a US pilot certificate —
Harriet Quimby in her monoplane after becoming the first female pilot in the US to earn a pilot's certificate in 1911.
Library of Congress
Bessie Coleman was the first female African-American aviator in the world. At the time, American flight schools did not admit women or blacks so she moved to Paris to earn her license in 1921.
The first to defy racial limitations —
Bessie Coleman was the first female African-American aviator in the world. At the time, American flight schools did not admit women or blacks so she moved to Paris to earn her license in 1921.
George Rinhart/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
Ruth Elder - known as Miss America of Aviation in the 1920s - was a famous actress who wanted to become the first woman to duplicate Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight to Paris. Mechanical problems caused her plane to crash during her final attempt in 1927.
Miss America of Aviation —
Ruth Elder - known as Miss America of Aviation in the 1920s - was a famous actress who wanted to become the first woman to duplicate Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight to Paris. Mechanical problems caused her plane to crash during her final attempt in 1927.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
She was already known as the 'Queen of Diamonds', but American socialite Mabel Boll wanted to become the 'Queen of the Air' instead. Caught by the transatlantic fever, while in Paris, Boll made headlines by looking for a pilot who would fly with her across the Atlantic in January 1928.
The Queen of Diamonds —
She was already known as the 'Queen of Diamonds', but American socialite Mabel Boll wanted to become the 'Queen of the Air' instead. Caught by the transatlantic fever, while in Paris, Boll made headlines by looking for a pilot who would fly with her across the Atlantic in January 1928.
George Rinhart/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
British Elsie Mackay was a famous silent film actress. She starred in eight films, before dying while trying to accomplish her other dream of becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in March 1928. She picked the name Poppy Wyndam to avoid her father's ire.
The Earl's daughter —
British Elsie Mackay was a famous silent film actress. She starred in eight films, before dying while trying to accomplish her other dream of becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in March 1928. She picked the name Poppy Wyndam to avoid her father's ire.
Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
English aviator Amy Johnson standing in front of her Gipsy Moth just before she undertook a 19-day solo flight to Australia. Johnson was a pioneering English aviator and was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia in 1930.
The first to get to Australia —
English aviator Amy Johnson standing in front of her Gipsy Moth just before she undertook a 19-day solo flight to Australia. Johnson was a pioneering English aviator and was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia in 1930.
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Group of female aviators in front of the plane that completed the world tour, in 1934. At the time, women worldwide caught the transatlantic fever and wanted to follow Charles Lindbergh's footsteps.
Les Jolies Aviatrixes —
Group of female aviators in front of the plane that completed the world tour, in 1934. At the time, women worldwide caught the transatlantic fever and wanted to follow Charles Lindbergh's footsteps.
Keystone-France/Gamma/Getty Images