Coming July 2013!

 

The story of the Wright Brothers flying the first airplane in 1903 is a well-known story. What is not as well-known is that they might not have succeeded without the support of their sister, Katharine Wright, who sacrificed much to aid their dream in becoming a reality. And it was just the beginning for women in aviation.
While Amelia Earhart most often comes to mind when thinking of women aviators, she was just one of many. Harriet Quimby became the first licensed American female pilot in 1911 and later the first to fly across the English Channel. Ten years later, the indomitable Bessie Coleman became the first African American of either gender to earn her pilot’s license. Pancho Barnes did stunt flying for the growing movie industry before organizing the Women’s Air Reserve to provide help in national disasters. Jackie Cochran, founder of the WASPs (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots), flew in World War II and broke an international open class speed record for all pilots.

There are many great stories about women aviators, and you can read about the many exciting ones in Women Aviators: 26 Stories of Pioneer Flights, Daring Missions and Record-Setting Journeys. Part of the Chicago Review Press Women of Action series, Women Aviators will be released in July.

Karen Bush Gibson crafts 26 concise yet connected biographies in an arrangement whose very organization illuminates the role of women in aviation from the first powered flight to the present day…Accessible, astonishing and inspiring, Women Aviators is a fabulous resource that comes none too soon.    

—Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity and member of the Ninety-Nines

 

Available for pre-ordering at Amazon.

And in early 2014, look for Women in Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking Adventures.