Page 4 - Aerotech News and Review – Women’s History Month 2024

4 february 2024 Aerotech News www.aerotechnews.com
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Books on women in military and aviation
By Emma Uribe
Aerotech News staff
For readers interested in learning more about women’s struggle for parity in the military and in the sky, here are a few books on my “To be read” list.
Sisters in Arms
Sisters in Arms is a his- torical novel by Kaia Al- derson about the true sto- ry of Six Triple Eight, the
only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. The story focuses on Grace Steele and Eliza Jones, among the first Black women allowed to serve and how they navigate their way through the seg- regated army. They form part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion to ensure American ser- vice men can communicate with their loved ones dur- ing the war. The novel ex- plores the challenges and risks they faced deploying to England and France.
Why it’s on the “To Be Read” (TBR) list — I’ve read a few stories about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in Aerotech News & Review. Also, this book is currently being read by a local li- brary book club. So, I’d see if it’s currently being read in a book club near you. Book clubs are a great way to meet new people.
Also, historical fiction has a way of adding emotion to historical events that a non-fiction book might lack. I think when you can feel invested in certain characters it makes the history behind the story feel more real.
Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation
History
Fly Girls tells the sto- ries of five remarkable women who fought to break the glass ceiling in airplane racing. Amelia Earhart was the most fa- mous, but not necessarily the most skilled. Together, they fought for the chance to race against the men and one of them would triumph in the toughest race of all.
Why it’s on the TBR list — If you are looking for “women in aviation
history” in a non-fiction format this book is for you. I was mostly interested in this book because it prom- ises the stories of not only Amelia Earhart — whom we have all heard of — but also four other female avi- ators. These women faced
their own aviation and patriarchy challenges and were mostly overlooked. And I want to know more! Don’t you?
The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Sto- ry of the Women Airforce Service Pi-
lots of World War II
Cornelia Fort was a flight instructor in Ha- waii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. She became one of first responders to the call for women pilots to aid the war effort. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) gave women a chance to serve their coun- try and prove that wom- en aviators were just as skilled as men. However, with the tides of war turn- ing, Congress clipped the women’s wings. The bonds they forged were unbreak- able, making them strong through the decades to fight for recognition as veterans, as well as their place in military history.
Why it’s on the TBR list — As with the Six Tri-
Courtesy photos
ple Eight, there have been many stories of WASP vet- erans between the pages of Aerotech News. I wanted to get more of the story of how inspiring women fought for recognition as part of the Air Force and opened aviation for women and the Air Force today. It’s a story that re- minds you that even when something seems impos- sible, it’s not when you are willing to fight for it.