Women have flown since 1908, each generation breaking down new barriers and gaining access to careers in the military, commercial cockpits, laboratories, and space. From the first woman to earn her pilot’s license to the programmers who made our trip to the Moon possible, we celebrate the women of the past and look toward what will be achieved in the future.

Notable Figures in Aerospace
Mary Riddle with plane
Pilot Mary Riddle
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Portrait of Claudia Alexander
Scientist Claudia Alexander
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Lee Ya-Ching, Stinson SR-9B Reliant
Pilot Lee Ya-Ching
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Willa Brown
Lieutenant Willa Brown
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Bessie Coleman
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Online Exhibition
Women in Aviation and Space History
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Related Stories

Showing 1 - 6 of 104

Bessie Coleman 'Black Heritage' postage stamp
"No Uncle Tom Stuff”: Reflecting on Juneteenth and Bessie Coleman
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Wall Slide
Celebrating the Centennial of Bessie Coleman as the First Licensed African American Woman Pilot
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Bessie Coleman: Five Stories You May Not Know
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Group portrait of computers at Harvard College Observatory
The People Behind Astronomical Plates and Notebooks: Project PHaEDRA and the Harvard College Observatory Computers
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Vera Rubin and Kent Ford
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Women of Chilean Astronomy
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Astronaut Christina Koch (left) poses for a portrait with flight engineer Jessica Meir
A Seat in the Cockpit: Recognizing and Replacing Biases with Gender Inclusive Language
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"It is a very overpowering realization that the Earth is so small

-The atmosphere looks like a ribbon with different colors hugging the Earth. That, in addition, lends so much to its fragility. It affected me. I could not get over the notion that in such a small planet, with such a small ribbon of life, so much goes on." - Kalpana Chawla

Afghan Refugee Inspires Kids With Her Solo Flight Around the World - My Path

Meet Shaesta Waiz. She's a young, female pilot who's making a solo trip around the world. Find out what inspires her and what advice she has for middle school students.

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Jacket, In-Flight Suit, Shuttle, Sally Ride, STS-7
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Jacket, In-Flight Suit, Shuttle, Sally Ride, STS-7
Curtiss JN-4D Jenny
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Curtiss JN-4D Jenny
Amelia Earhart Lockheed Vega 5B aircraft
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Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B
Name Tag, Shuttle Astronaut (Jemison) (Flown)
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Name Tag, Shuttle Astronaut (Jemison) (Flown)
A woman stands on the wing of an airplane

Bessie Coleman, the first African American licensed pilot shown here on the wheel of a Curtiss JN-4 "Jennie" in her custom designed flying suit (circa 1924).

 

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Bessie Coleman