Women’s History Month at AUS: Leading like nothing’s off limits

March was Women’s History Month, and AUS celebrated by honoring the pioneers who propelled aviation forward, as well as the phenomenal women who strengthen our airport day in and day out!

So, let’s wrap up the month with a nice little bow I like to call blog trivia! It’s all about the trailblazing women who changed aviation forever. Ready?

Question 1 - Who was the first woman to fly the mail?

Katherine Stinson became the first woman to fly the mail and the first woman in the world to own a flying school. In 1913, she and her mother founded the Stinson Aviation Company to rent and sell airplanes, and by 1917 she was touring Asia as the first woman to fly in Japan and China. Her sister Marjorie followed right behind her, serving as the company’s chief instructor and shaping the next generation of aviators.

Question 2 - When was the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) established?

Nancy Harkness Love helped open the skies for women in military aviation. In 1942, she founded and commanded the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), leading 28 pilots who became the first women to ferry aircraft for the U.S. Army. Her leadership earned her the Air Medal in 1946 and a lasting place in aviation history.

Question 3 - Who was the first-ever female U.S. airline captain?

Emily Howell Warner flew through two major barriers in her aviation career. Frontier Airlines made history in 1973 when they hired her as the first permanent woman pilot for a scheduled U.S. passenger airline. But she didn’t stop at that title—she became the first woman member of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) in 1974 and the first female U.S. airline captain in 1976.

Question 4 - Who founded Women in Aviation International (WAI)?

Peggy Chabrian set out to help women across the industry reach new altitudes. As the founder of Women in Aviation International (WAI), she built a global network offering scholarships, education, and community for women in the aviation industry. Her impact is so significant that she’ll soon be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

As we honor these pioneers, we’re just as proud to celebrate the women who run the show at AUS. From leadership roles to front‑line operations and every corner of our organization, their expertise and dedication shape our workplace and the travel experience for millions, year after year. To every woman across our airport community, we appreciate you today, tomorrow, and all year long.