Early Women and Minority Aviators, Spirit of Flight Center - Erie, CO - Civil Rights Memorials on Waymarking.com

Roughly one fifth of this museum's area is dedicated to female aviators. Perhaps most heart-breaking is the exhibit regarding Mary Elizabeth Trebig, 43-W-4, a WASP pilot from the Erie area who lost her live in service of the country during WWII ferrying planes to war zones. These female pilots were not allowed any military benefits after WWII and lobbied for many years to become recognized for their contributions. Their story was almost lost to history after being buried by the US military.

"On July 1, 2009 President Barack Obama and the United States Congress awarded the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal. Three of the roughly 300 surviving WASPs were on hand to witness the event. During the ceremony President Obama said, "The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country's call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since. Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve." On May 10, 2010, the 300 surviving WASPs came to the US Capitol to accept the Congressional Gold Medal from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders.[18]

On New Year's Day in 2014, the Rose Parade had a float with eight WASPs riding on it." *(from (visit link) )

"On December 7, 1944, at the last graduation of WASP, General Barton K. Yount, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces Training Command recognized the brave young women who were killed while flying for their country.
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“Let us acknowledge the measure of their sacrifice by honoring them as brave women, and by honoring them as women who served without thought of glory which we accord to heroes of battle. The service pilot faces the risk of death without the emotional inspiration of combat. Men who battle in the sky have the grim, triumphant knowledge that their bombs and bullets are destroying the enemy, and their courage is sustained by the emotions of conflict.


These women have given their lives in the performance of arduous and exacting duties without being able to see and feel the final results of their work under the quickening influence of aerial action. They have demonstrated a courage which is sustained not by the fevers of combat, but the steady heartbeat of faith—a faith in the rightness of our cause, and a faith in the importance of their work to the men who do go into combat.

Let us pay tribute to these women by honoring their memory . . . Let us treasure their memory as women whose sacrifice has brought honor not only to their country, but also to their organization.

We shall not forget the accomplishments of our women fliers and their contributions to the fulfillment of our mission. And we shall always keep and remember the brave heritage of the women who gave their lives. It is the heritage of faith in victory and faith in the ultimate freedom of humanity.”

General Barton K. Yount, Army Air Forces Training Command" (from (visit link) )

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Civil Right Type: Gender Equality (includes women's suffrage)

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