Women from the 40s Flying High After Receiving Medal

Thanks to Women’s Fund for their Facebook post yesterday about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) who received a Congressional Gold Medal. As an organization that supports women and girls, it’s no surprise to see Women’s Fund highlight and applaud women who serve as leaders to young girls and help pave the way for other women.

After reading and watching the news and learning more about what these women accomplished, I just think it’s fantastic. WASP was formed in 1942 with the onset of World War II. Women pilots took over domestic flights, freeing male pilots to go overseas. These women contributed significantly to the war effort. And they were finally recognized for their work.

Here’s what I love about one of the news reports … they explained that WASP was “created because one female pilot came up with what some called a radical idea”. So truly, one woman had an idea and it resulted in over 1,000 female pilots supporting the war from home. It resulted in female pilots training male pilots to go into combat. It resulted in the first women flying military planes. All of this because of one “radical idea”. These women are so deserving of this honor - one of the highest civilian awards bestowed by the United States Congress.

So, as I think about all of the incredible women involved with Women’s Fund and I think about the future leaders Women’s Fund supports, I can’t help but wonder who will have the next “radical idea”. I just hope I’m lucky enough to be a part of it – or at least support it.