Women Who Fly

by Lynn M. Homan, Thomas Reilly

In the early days of flight, it was thought that flying was too dangerous to risk losing women who were wives and mothers. Against the odds, women sought out pilots who would give them flying lessons. Many, like Harriet Quimby, Matilde Moisant, Amelia Earhart, Emily Warner, Sally Ride, and Eileen Collins (the first female space shuttle commander), proved that women have the skills, courage, and determination to fly.

104 pages, Hardcover

First published February 29, 2004

Reviews

[Craig Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to start this review with a story - Until I was about 35 I never really gave thought to the view of women in our society. It was not until a car buying venture with my wife that it became apparent to me. See, “she” wanted a new vehicle and we went looking. I noticed that all the salesmen would address me and really ignore her. Why? It’s going to her car or van, why talk to me? The second time that happened that day a frankly told the salesman, “I’m not the one you need to talk to.” With that I shrank into the background as much as possible and forced the issue of them dealing with her. She is smart, knew what see was looking for and could ask the questions about features important to her.

Fast forward several years and I now have two daughters, and I tell them; just like all the generations before; you can do anything you put your mind to. I actively seek out inspirations, books and stories so that they will have a grounded background and build on the confidence of those women who came before them.

Now the review – This book is a Juvenile Nonfiction Book and is also part of the Accelerated Reader Program Books. Let me say right now - Do not let this stop you from picking this book up! It is a wonderful, inspiring and historical read. The determination of these early women flyers are a lost treasure of our history. We all grew up knowing Amelia Earhart, right. Who does not know that name.

What about Ruth Law? Harriett Qumiby? Matilda Moisant? Blanch Stuart Scott? Julia Clark? And a whole pack of women that made a difference that I bet you have never heard of. This book is a chronical of them all. Their determination to do what they wanted in a time that women were supposed to be at home, there since of pride in their accomplishments and unknown to some of them the doors that they opened for generations to come. Not in great giant steps but small steps, but fighting every step of the way.

I could literally go on and on, but I will end in saying that this is a must read for any and everybody. The stories and the history of women in early aviation is a grand adventure.

Craig Anderson
Our History Project

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned so much about flying and the women who dared to defy convention at that time.

[Carol Hardesty · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good, but not great. While it was pretty interesting to read about the history of female aviation, it's a little saddening to be reminded that women still have a long way to work towards equality. Also, a warning to sensitive readers: this book is filled with many, many deaths. Finally, since this book was apparently written *before* the Space Program shut down, it kinda cops out at the end by saying that women in NASA are 'reaching for the stars'. Still, it's a nice read and a good resource for school reports.