499: Harriet Quimby
The First US Woman to get her Pilot’s License
Born: 11 May 1875, Michigan, United States of America (Possibly the City of Arcadia)
Died: 1 July 1912, Quincy, Massachusetts, United States of America
Harriet earned License #37 on 1st August 1911.
She started out as a writer for the San Francisco Dramatic Review and briefly considered acting as a career.
In 1905, she began writing for various magazines in New York as a drama critic, photographer, and more.
Once she achieved her pilot’s license, she made sure to wear a violet satin flying suit to showcase her sense of style to go along with her ability to fly.
Less than a month after earning her license she won her first race (that had a $600 prize attached to it).
A few months later she became the first woman to fly at night.
Harriet was known for being dedicated to safety and pre-flight checks—precedents that have stayed to modern day, but she died in a crash, becoming the fourth woman to die in a plane crash.
Badges Earned:
Find a Grave Marked
Sources:
https://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/quimby-harriet/
https://www.faa.gov/about/history/pioneers/media/Harriet_Quimby.pdf