Women in aviation

Women have been involved in aviation from the beginnings of both lighter-than air travel and as airplanes, helicopters and space travel were developed. Women pilots were also formerly called "aviatrices" (singular "aviatrix"). Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry.^[1] Aviation also allowed women to "travel alone on unprecedented journeys".^[2] Women who have been successful in various aviation fields have served as mentors to younger women, helping them along in their careers.^[3]

Within the first two decades of powered flight, female pilots were breaking speed, endurance and altitude records. They were competing and winning against the men in air races, and women on every continent except Antarctica had begun to fly, perform in aerial shows, parachute, and even transport passengers. During World War II, women from every continent helped with war efforts, though mostly restricted from military flight, many flew in auxiliary services. In the 1950s and 1960s, women were primarily restricted to serving in support fields such as flight simulation training, air traffic control, and as flight attendants. Since the 1970s, women have been allowed to participate in military service in most countries.^{[citation needed]}

Women's participation in the field of aviation has increased over the years. In 1909, Marie Surcouf founded the world's first female pilot organization, the Aéroclub féminin la Stella. Following the 1929 women-only National Air Races held in the United States, 99 of the 117 women holding U.S. pilot licenses founded the first American female pilot organization, the Ninety-Nines, named for the number of founding members. By 1930, there were around 200 women pilots in th U.S. but within five years there were more than 700.^[4] Women of Aviation Worldwide Week has reported that after 1980, the increase in gender parity among pilots in the United States has been stagnant.^[5] The global percentage of women airline pilots is 3%. While the overall number of female pilots in aviation has increased the percentage remains the same.^{[citation needed]}