When she was six years old, Shirley Slade told her parents she wanted to be a pilot. At the time, female pilots were a rarity. But she was persistent, and during high school she received her pilot's license. Following Pearl Harbor, Shirley joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots program. "I wanted to see combat, but that just wasn't possible," she reminisced years later. During her time in service, Shirley was stationed at three different bases, and primarily flew Bell P-39 Airacobras and Martin B-26 Marauders, two notoriously difficult aircraft to fly. In july 1943 she was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine. (fb)

The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, Lecture Series. Liz Booker: From Coast Guard Pilot To Literary Aviatrix Liz Booker, known as the "Literary Aviatrix," is a retired U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot and diplomat who has become a prominent advocate for women in aviation through literature. With a 28-year military career, she flew the H-65 Dolphin helicopter on various missions, including search and rescue and law enforcement, and served as the senior U.S. Defense Official to seven Eastern Caribbean nations. After retiring in 2019, Booker launched the Literary Aviatrix platform to promote stories featuring women in aviation. This initiative includes a website, podcast, YouTube channel, and the Aviatrix Book Club, which curates monthly reading lists and hosts discussions often attended by authors. The platform serves as a resource for over 600 books across genres and age groups, aiming to inspire and connect readers and writers interested in aviation. Liz also hosts the "Literary Aviatrix: The Power of Story – Women in Aviation" podcast, where she interviews authors about their works and writing journeys. Additionally, the Aviatrix Writers' Room offers guidance for aspiring writers, with discussions on publishing and storytelling. (fb)