East Baton Rouge Parish Library

Fly girls, written, produced and directed by Laurel Ladevich ; a Silverlining Productions film for American Experience ; WGBH Educational Foundation

eng

videorecording

Fly girls

70191061

Originally broadcast by PBS as an episode of the television series American Experience in 1999

written, produced and directed by Laurel Ladevich ; a Silverlining Productions film for American Experience ; WGBH Educational Foundation

56

In the midst of World War II, the call went out: women with flight experience were needed to fly for the military. All over the country, young women postponed their weddings, put their educations on hold, and quit their jobs to respond, becoming Women Airforce Service Pilots or WASPs. Led by Jacqueline Cochran, America's foremost female aviator, more than 1,000 women were trained to ferry aircraft, test planes, instruct male pilots, and even tow targets for anti-aircraft artillery practice. Despite serving with grit and determination from 1942 to 1944, these brave women pilots had no official military status, thus no benefits, although 38 gave their lives. In December 1944, the WASP program was disbanded. It would be more than thirty years before women would fly again for the US military

Introduction -- Leader in aviation -- W.A.S.P. -- Dangers of flying -- Pioneers -- Credits

general

live action