Every year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day reminds us to recognise the accomplishments of women throughout history and reflect on how they’ve influenced our world.
From the earliest days of flight to modern commercial and military aviation – as well as space exploration – many women became central figures, paving the way for further progress.
In this article, we celebrate the many contributions of women in aviation from the early 1900s to present day. We’ll also look at current data on female representation in the sector.
Early Visionaries
Baroness Raymonde de Laroche
When the Wright Brothers took their first flights in the early 1900s, the notion of women piloting aircraft was scarcely entertained in popular discourse. However, several courageous women pushed against societal norms and proved their capability in the emerging field.
One of the first was Baroness Raymonde de Laroche who, in 1910, became the first woman in the world to gain a pilot’s license. Coincidentally, she actually received it on the 8th of March that year.
Her accomplishment demonstrated that flying was a possibility for anyone driven by the desire to do so. She later achieved several awards, including the Femina Cup which was granted based on a non-stop four-hour flight and in 1919, she broke the women’s altitude record, reaching 15,700 feet. To commemorate de Laroche, a statue stands in Le Bourget airport in France.
Harriet Quimby
In the United States, Harriet Quimby mirrored de Laroche’s determination. Earning her pilot’s license in 1911, Quimby became the first American woman to do so. She was also the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel.
This feat was achieved despite resistance and scepticism. For example, her advisor, Gustav Hammel, offered to conduct the flight disguised as Quimby as he didn’t believe a woman would be capable. She refused and completed the flight on the 16th of April 1912 – proving him wrong.
Bessie Coleman
Another early hero was Bessie Coleman, who in 1921 became the first African American and Native American woman to get a pilot’s license. In fact, she was the first woman from the United States to get an international pilot’s license.
She couldn’t find a flight school in the U.S. that would accept her due to race and gender discrimination, so she travelled to France to pursue her dream.
When she returned to the States, she performed as a stunt pilot. She featured in shows across America and Europe, but her ambitions went beyond performing; she aimed to establish an aviation school to help other African Americans gain access to training.
Like many early aviators, an untimely accident cut her life short. However, her legacy endures in the many pilots who followed her lead, refusing to accept limitations.
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart is one of the most highly regarded aviators of all time. In 1932, she became the first woman – and second person ever – to conduct a solo transatlantic flight.
She set many other flying records and won awards including the American Distinguished Flying Cross and the Cross of the French Legion of Honour. She also advocated for commercial air travel, technical innovation, and women’s opportunities. She founded the Ninety-Nines – an organisation for female pilots – and became the first female Vice President of the National Aeronautic Association.
In 1937, she was to become the first woman to fly around the world. Along with navigator Fred Noonan, she embarked on the journey, but 7,000 miles before completion, the plane lost radio contact and was never found.
The Early Days of Commercial Aviation
The First Female Commercial Pilots
In the post-war era, commercial aviation rapidly expanded as technology developed and airlines introduced more passenger routes worldwide.
Women’s participation in the sector was minimal for some time, especially in the cockpit. But eventually, things began to change. In 1969, Norwegian aviator, Turi Widerøe, became the first western, female pilot hired by a major airline (Scandinavian Airlines).
In the United States, Emily Howell Warner started as a flight instructor before joining Frontier Airlines in 1973, eventually becoming the first American female airline captain in 1976. She was also a flight school manager, FAA pilot examiner, and managed the United Airlines Contract Training Program for Clinton Aviation.
Our British equivalent was Yvonne Pope-Sintes, who was the first female air traffic controller at Gatwick Airport. Later, she became the country’s first female commercial airline captain.
The success of these women opened the doors for many more to follow suit.
Other Aviation Leadership Roles
As more women joined commercial airlines, some rose through the ranks to take on many other critical roles, from flight safety auditing to operational leadership positions and beyond. Here are just a few notable figures:
- Teri Bristol: The first ever woman to have the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic Organization at the FAA.
- Andrea Robertson: Former nurse, Robertson became CEO and President of air ambulance service STARS, Canada. The organisation provides critical care around Canada via helicopter.
- Carol J Carmody: Carmody’s career began at the FAA, where her passion for aviation began. She later became VP at the National Transport Safety Board. She was acting chairman during the terrorist attacks of 9/11, assisting the FBI in recovering parts and victims. She has been instrumental in aviation safety; for example, pushing for the ICAO to start a programme to ensure standards were being implemented. She’s also worked on improving aviation sustainability.
- Ada Brown: Her career began as a stewardess with United Airlines in 1940. She later founded the world’s first stewardess union (the Air Line Stewardess Association) and tackled discrimination affecting those in the role.
- Dr. Peggy Chabrian: She founded Women in Aviation International (WAI) with the view to encourage women to seek careers in the industry.
Engineering, Maintenance, and Technological Innovation
Women in Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering and Design
Women have long played a critical role in technical aviation disciplines, even if their stories are less well-known. For example, there’s Mary Sherman Morgan, the U.S.’ first ever female rocket scientist whose work led to the development of the propellant, Hydyne.
Next, Elsie MacGill was the first Canadian woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering and a Master’s in aeronautical engineering. Nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Hurricanes’, she oversaw the production of the Hawker Hurricane fighter, contributed to civil aviation through designs of her own, and was the first woman to become Chair of a UN aviation technical committee.
Another is Nancy Fitzoy, renowned expert in heat transfer and fluid flow. She worked with GE until 1987 when she retired. She was also the first woman to lead a national engineering society (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers).
Patricia Mawuli Nayekodzi of Ghana is the first female in the country to gain a national pilot’s license, and the first aircraft engineer, teacher and trainer. She co-founded Aviation Technology Academy Ghana.
Countless other women have broken ground in research labs, materials science, avionics development, and engine optimisation.
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
In 2021, women made up just 3.1% of aircraft maintenance engineers, but that’s still an improvement on earlier days. As recently discussed in Aviation Week, the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance is launching its own conference which will take place in October 2025 in Texas.
The Association supports women in MRO through various means, such as scholarships and career advice. The conference will surely help towards generating new interest in the field. They’re also looking to include a session about dual career paths that involve pilot and technician components, which is a growing trend.
Software and Digital Advancements
As the sector moves further into the digital era, women are increasingly visible in aviation softwaredevelopment, data analytics, and other IT-driven operational areas.
Current Data on Women in Aviation
Female representation in aviation varies significantly by region, but the figures are gradually improving. The following data was discussed in a report by IATA:
- In the U.S., 4.4% of pilots are female, but the figure rose by 52% from 2018-2023 in the commercial sector.
- In the UK, 5.2% of pilots are female. The CAA stated that between 2019 and 2023, the number of pilot licenses issued to women increased by 26%.
- In Asia Pacific, 6.2% of pilots are female.
- India leads the way with a share of 14% female pilots, while in Latin America and the Caribbean, the total when combining pilots and ATCs comes to 34.5%.
25by2025 Progress
IATA’s 25by2025 campaign set the challenge for organisations to either increase the proportion of female employees by 25%, or have a minimum of 25% female staff overall.
At the time, just three IATA member airlines had female CEOs, and women held around 19% of senior roles. While IATA themselves had been lagging behind based on 2023 data, progress is still being made and the campaign continues to gain momentum.
Conclusion
International Women’s Day offers a special opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable contributions women have made, and continue to make, within the aviation industry. Their achievements in this field are both varied and impressive.
As we reflect on these contributions, it’s worth noting that their legacy extends far beyond individual accomplishment. Their endeavours have sparked technological breakthroughs, operational improvements, and an overarching culture of excellence.
We acknowledge their grit, curiosity, and skill – the core ingredients that have propelled aviation from basic gliders to modern jets and beyond.
OASES MRO software provides airlines, MROs and CAMOs with a comprehensive suite of tools to ensure continuing airworthiness and boost the efficiency of maintenance operations. To learn more or request a demo, contact us today.
