I Can Fly

I have often read the work of Ann Darr without knowing how much I had in common with her. As it turns out she was a woman after my own heart, as brave as they come, who opened the door for women in flight as one of our nations early aviatrixes.

After reading this article, I was prompted to look more deeply into Ann’s life and into her writing. I discovered a whole host of writings dedicated to her experiences as a WASP, and while many things have changed, many have remained the same.

Typically men in the business of piloting are welcoming and friendly, but the culture in flying is still that of a boy’s club and all of us female pilots have had our run-ins with the unpleasant. Ann had to work very hard to overcome an extreme atmosphere of masculinity. We may have come a long way, but reading this article made me realize there is still a ways to go.

It’s up to all of us established women pilots to at least show other women that we have made it, and they can make it too, regardless of age, culture, or class. 

 Here’s to you Ann, who can show us the way even in death.