100 Years of Women in Aviation: How Far We’ve Come

For over a century, women have made significant contributions to aviation, breaking barriers and reshaping the industry. From the first female pilots to today’s astronauts and airline captains, progress has been remarkable—but challenges remain. This article looks at the key milestones in women’s aviation history and the work still needed to achieve true gender equality.

Early Pioneers: Breaking Barriers

Women have been involved in aviation since the early 1900s, despite societal expectations limiting their participation. Raymonde de Laroche became the world’s first licensed female pilot in 1910, proving that women could master the skies just like their male counterparts. Soon after, Harriet Quimby made history in 1911 by becoming the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Her daring solo flight across the English Channel in 1912 inspired future generations of female aviators.

The rise of commercial aviation in the 1920s and 1930s saw more women earning their wings. Among them, Amelia Earhart became a global icon when she completed her solo transatlantic flight in 1932, demonstrating that women could compete with men in long-distance aviation. Despite these achievements, female pilots faced significant barriers, with most aviation jobs closed to women.

World War II: Women Take to the Skies

The outbreak of World War II created new opportunities for women in aviation. In the United States, over 1,000 women joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, flying non-combat missions, transporting aircraft, and training male pilots. Meanwhile, in Britain, the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) recruited women to ferry military aircraft between factories and airbases. Despite proving their skills, women were often dismissed from these roles once the war ended, forcing them to fight again for inclusion in the industry.