Lorraine Rodgers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lorraine Zilner Rodgers (born 1921) is a former Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) pilot for the United States Air Force. She saw action during World War II.
Rodgers grew up in Illinois. She dreamed about becoming a pilot since she was little; at the time, most types of work were considered to be gender role connected, and Rodgers' dreams of becoming a pilot were seen by many with skepticism.
Rodgers enlisted at the Air Force as a young adult. The United States military had some of the most technologically advanced military airplanes of the era, but it was losing male pilots at increasing numbers, so the WASP women's team was formed, composed exclusively of women pilots.
At first in charge of ferrying airplanes from the United States to friendly bases in Europe, Rodgers eventually went on to become the first woman pilot to see action during that war. She flew the famous B-26 airplane, among others.
In a bizarre incident, an American male soldier tried to kill Rodgers by attacking her airplane, "to demonstrate women don't belong flying in the war". Rodgers parachuted off the airplane before it hit the ground, and was able to survive the attack.
Upon returning home, Rodgers became a symbol of feminism, being a hero to many men and women alike.
Rodgers went on to become a professional speaker, book writer and receiver of several awards and medals.
In 2004, the Discovery Channel's "Wings" network dedicated a one hour show to Rodgers.
