Bessie
Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was an early American civil
aviator. She was the first African-American woman and first
Native-American to hold a pilot license
Jacqueline Cochran and Northrop Gamma monoplane by Tom Wigley
Via Flickr:
Frissell for Vogue – Pilot Jacqueline Cochran and Northrop Gamma monoplane – Aug 15, 1941
Jackie Cochran was a top air racer in the 1930s, a leader of Allied women pilots in World War II, and a record-setting jet jockey in the 1950s and 1960s.
– Captain, UK Air Transport Auxiliary
– Founder and Director of The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS)
– Colonel, US Air Force Reserve
Awards:
– French Air Medal
– US Distinguished Flying Cross
– US Legion of Merit
– The Federation Aeronautique Internationale Gold Medal
“When [Jacqueline Cochran] died in 1980, she held more speed, altitude and distance records than anyone in the world, male or female.”
