• Biography

Elsie Reasoner Ralph was a pioneering American aviator and the first female pilot to fly solo across the United States. Born in 1892 in Kansas, she was the daughter of a farmer and grew up in a rural environment. She was an adventurous spirit and had a passion for flying from a young age.

Early Life

Ralph was born in 1892 in Kansas to a farming family. She was the youngest of five children and was raised in a rural environment. She was an adventurous spirit and had a passion for flying from a young age. She was determined to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot and in 1915, she enrolled in the Curtiss Flying School in San Diego, California. She was the only female student in the school and was the first woman to receive a pilot's license in the United States.

Career

Ralph's career as a pilot began in 1916 when she was hired by the Curtiss Flying School to give flying lessons to other women. She was the first female pilot to fly solo across the United States, a feat she accomplished in 1921. She also set a number of other records, including the first woman to fly a plane from coast to coast and the first woman to fly a plane over the Rocky Mountains.

In addition to her flying career, Ralph was also an accomplished writer and lecturer. She wrote several books about her experiences as a pilot and was a frequent speaker at aviation events. She was also an advocate for women's rights and was a member of the National Women's Party.

Later Life

Ralph retired from flying in the late 1920s and moved to California. She continued to write and lecture about aviation and women's rights. She also became involved in the movie industry, working as a stunt pilot and appearing in several films. She died in 1975 at the age of 83.

Legacy

Ralph was a pioneering aviator and a strong advocate for women's rights. She was the first female pilot to fly solo across the United States and set a number of other records. She was also an accomplished writer and lecturer and was a member of the National Women's Party. Her legacy lives on in the many women who have followed in her footsteps and pursued their dreams of becoming pilots.

Date modified: Apr 3, 2023
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