Today is International Women’s Day. The story of women in aviation is one of courage, perseverance, and boundless ambition. From the earliest aviators who broke barriers to the modern-day pioneers who continue to push the boundaries of possibility, women have made groundbreaking contributions at SkyWest and across the aviation industry.
Learn more about some of their impressive journeys:
First Female SkyWest Captain: Captain Mary C.
Captain Mary C. joined SkyWest in 1985 and dedicated 32 years of service to SkyWest.
She began her SkyWest journey during the SkyWest/SunAire merger after being rejected at other companies strictly because she was female.
“There were corporate jobs, and you knew you were being turned down because you were a female. They could actually tell you that back then,” said Captain Mary C.
First Female SkyWest Chief Pilot: Captain Laura G.
For Captain Laura G., joining the SkyWest team almost 19 years ago was the easiest decision she made, drawn by the culture of happiness and kindness she observed in crewmembers.
“To summarize my career at SkyWest in one word would be: gratitude,” Captain Laura G. said. “I have had someone at each of step of my career at SkyWest listening, encouraging, and giving me ideas how to navigate the storms and challenges we all face.”
Captain Laura highlighted the importance of perseverance and support in facing the challenges of juggling a personal life and a career in aviation. Her most trusted values are teamwork and mentorship.
Captain Laura G.’s advice to others: “Reach out to mentors, fellow aviators, chief pilots, aviation representatives, and network when you face a storm that could impact your career. Our paths around storms may look different, but the end goals of gorgeous smooth skies after best achieved when we are not alone.”
First SkyWest Flight Attendant: Randi H.
In 1986, Randi was hired as the first SkyWest flight attendant and was part of the first training class consisting of 25 flight attendants.
First Female SkyWest Mechanic: Bobbi S.
Bobbi was hired as one of the first female mechanics at SkyWest Airlines, her journey began nearly 35 years ago. She is currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) and is a lead inspector in maintenance.
First Female Pilot: Harriet Quimby
Harriet Quimby was the first licensed female pilot in America. Her inspiration came from a visit to an air show at Belmont Park in October 1910. She took flying lessons at the Moisant School of Aviation in Hempstead, Long Island before earning her pilot’s license on Aug. 1, 1911.
First Flight Attendant: Ellen Church
In 1930, Ellen Church became the first female flight attendant, known then as a stewardess. Originally a nurse, Ellen convinced Steve Stimpson, a Boeing Air Transport traffic manager, that the presence of women nurses would help relieve the traveling public’s fear of flying. Previously, it was the co-pilot’s job to look after the passengers.
First Female Aircraft Mechanic: Phoebe Omlie
Phoebe Omlie was the first female recipient of an Airplane Mechanic’s License in 1927. She was also the first woman to receive a Transport Pilot’s License and the first woman government official in aviation, appointed by President Roosevelt as the special assistant for air intelligence of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (the predecessor of NASA).