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The Kids' Corner: Female pilot pioneer never gave up on dream of taking off to the skies Let's Talk About: Women's History Month Wednesday, March 01, 2000
Western Pennsylvania native Teresa James was an influential woman in the world of aviation. She has led the way for such women pilots as Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Eileen Collins, the first American woman to pilot a space shuttle.
James was born in 1917 and was introduced to flying by her brother. However, taking to the skies scared her at first because her brother had been seriously injured in a flying accident.
James took her first solo flight Sept. 20, 1933, out of the Wilkinsburg Airport, but at first had trouble breaking into flying. Not to be deterred, James took jobs doing stunts in air shows and flying airmail.
Finally, in September 1942 while World War II was raging, James was one of 25 women chosen for the "Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron." Her unit flew fighter planes between the manufacturer and the military bases. Her first flight was in a plane with an open cockpit that took her from Baltimore to Long Beach, Calif.
When the men returned from the war, James was given a commission in the reserves.
James retired from the service 27 years later. Since then, she has received many awards, such as the Outstanding Women's Award of OX5 Aviation Pioneers.
In her hometown of Wilkinsburg, Oct. 22 is Teresa James Day. It was established in 1997 when James was presented a proclamation read by Mayor Sylvia Lafranchi. It highlighted the achievements of James during her more than 60 years as a pilot.
-- By Chad Parks, History Center intern
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