In my opinion there is no reason why the aeroplane should not open up a fruitful occupation for women.
– Harriet Quimby, 1912

Facts:

• Born May, 1875 to a poor farm family in Michigan.
  
  
• Became a reporter, photographer and literary and theatrical writer for Leslie’s Magazine, 1903-1912 while living in New York.
  
  
• Attended the Belmont Park Air Meet in October 1910 where she became enthralled with aviation and determined to learn to fly.
  
  
• Learned to fly at the Moisant Aviation School in Mineola on a French Bleriot Monoplane.
  
  
• Took her licensing test on August 1, 1911 and passed, thus making her the first licensed female pilot in the United States.
  
  
• Participated in several air shows in the Fall of 1911 and became the first person to fly over Mexico City.
  
  
• Flew at the Nassau Boulevard, Long Island, Air Meet in September 1911, and won the cross-country race.
  
  
• Became the first woman to fly the English Channel on April 15, 1912, but her feat went largely unnoticed as the Titanic sank the same day.
  
  
• She was considered a radical woman in her day because she smoked, owned a car, flew an airplane, traveled the world extensively – alone as well as being a professional writer and photographer.
  
  
• She was known as a "green-eyed beauty" in a plum-colored satin flying suit which she designed herself. This outfit, then considered risqué, soon became a fashion trend and she was often called the "Dresden Doll Aviatrix" by fans because of her dashing, yet feminine image.
  
  
• Killed on July 1, 1912 at the Harvar d-Boston Air Meet when she was thrown from her plane.
  
  
• She always wanted a "fadeless immortality" and received it due to her distinct and determined personality and her many accomplishments in her short life.