Pilots of WASP

Usually posts are about one particular special woman, but today’s post is about a group of women who deserve a little remembrance and admiration. During World War II, women were not allowed to be fighter pilots, but they played a very important role in keeping the military’s planes flying just the same. Because of a shortage of pilots, the army recruited women to test new planes, transport planes across the country, and pull targets for fighter pilots to shoot at. The 1,100 women of the Women Airforce Service Pilots proved their flying skills in every kind of plane and every kind of weather. Despite well-known characters like Amelia Earhart, there were many doubts about a woman’s ability to successfully fly a plane, and the women who desired to fly for the WASPs had to come with pilot license already in hand, but they came willingly and determinedly. The job was dangerous, requiring the women to fly planes that had just been repaired or to risk a bad shot from a another pilot while towing a target for practice, and the parachutes supplied were fitted to a man, not really the most comforting back-up plan. Thirty-eight female pilots died during the short time of the WASP program. As vital as their work was to the war effort, the ladies of WASP were not afforded their due compensations for their work. The women were dismissed without ceremony or recognition when the program was ended, they were not permitted military funerals because they were considered civilians, and they received no military or veteran benefits like their male counterparts did. The airforce used the women because men were unavailable, then promptly dumped them when it seemed they might threaten male jobs. It would be a long time before the WASPs finally received the recognition they deserved, but the work they did was vital to the war effort and helped a lot of young women find adventure, strength, and self-reliance flying fighter planes in the wild blue yonder.

Today, be inspired to…Be proud of our female pilots in the military today! They’re some pretty cool chics.

If you want to read a great story about these amazing women, try Fannie Flagg’s The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion–it’s a great read.

Photo credit: wingsacrossamerica.us

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was never much of a girly girl. She preferred to be outside, and it was watching planes outside as a child that first made her want to fly. After her first plane ride, she was determined to learn to pilot, but there would be many years of nursing, college, and social work before she made it back to the skies. She purchased her first two-seater bi-plane and christianed it “The Canary” for its bright yellow color. Amelia started setting records right away, starting with the highest altitude for a female pilot. Next she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, a significant accomplishment given that three other women had died attempting the same feat in the last year. The journey took her twenty-one hours, but it sealed her fame. To top her last achievement, Amelia then became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic solo, an accomplishment completed previously only by Charles Lindbergh. More records for altitudes and solo flights would pile up for Amelia, as would the accolades and awards. Amelia’s last attempt at making history was a flight around the world, most of which she completed. Unfortunately, close to the end of her journey, bad weather hindered her navigation, and radio problems prevented her from taking her landing cues from ground support. Both Amelia and her plane vanished near Howland Island, never to be seen again. Amelia Earhart was an amazing pilot, and an inspiring woman, but what I find most notable about her was her determination as a child. She kept newspaper clippings about women working in traditionally male occupations, she didn’t care to adhere to what little girls were supposed to like, and she knew as a child what she wanted to do one day. The fact that women generally did not fly planes meant nothing to her—she wanted to fly, so she did. She’s a great example to all our daughters to pursue their dream and never be told they can’t because they are girls.

Today, be inspired to…Encourage a young girl pursuing a male-dominated field, sport, or occupation. Tell her there is nothing that she cannot do.

Photo credit: Biography.com