Women Pilots of Alaska: 37 Interviews and Profiles

Since the time of its inception, the field of aviation has rapidly grown in both importance and popularity. The acceptance and recognition of women’s participation and achievements in this activity, however, did not develop with nearly the same speed. The first biographical history of women pilots in Alaska, this work explores the challenges faced by women of Alaska as they pursued roles in aviation—something that had long been considered part of “the men’s world”. Beginning in 1927 with Marvel Crosson and reaching to the present day, 37 adventurous and personal tales are offered, including that of an ultralight flyer, the first woman to become U.S. Aerobatic Champion, a parachute jumper, the first woman to fly in a small airplane over the North Pole and an Iditarod dog musher. Questions about why these women chose to fly; where they learned; when they soloed; what it meant to them to become a pilot; what challenges they faced in such a non-traditional role; and why they chose the skies of Alaska are addressed as these intriguing stories are told.