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Harriet Quimby: Her Legacy of Influence in Aviation
Bethany K. Crumley
School of Aeronautics, Liberty University
AVIA 245: Aviation Leadership
Professor Mashburn
October 6, 2024
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Harriet Quimby: Her Legacy in Aviation
Harriet Quimby is celebrated throughout the world as the first American woman to
obtain a pilot’s license on August 1, 1911. The fascination with flight started during the Belmont
International Aviation Tournament on October 1910. She broke quite a few records and
shattered barriers of a profession dominated by men. Quimby journey exemplifies leadership
through her courage, influence, and creativity inspiring generations of women to pursue their
dreams in aviation.
One of the most notable leadership traits exhibited by Quimby was courage. Not only did
she faced the physical dangers of flying but defined women’s status in the era. Her assertion
that women could excel in this domain reflected a firm belief in their capabilities. Notably,
Quimby stated, “Women are more careful than men, making them less likely to embark on
foolhardy or dangerous excursions” (Erisman, 2021, p. 28). The decision to challenge male-
dominated topic subject suggests that true courage lies in pursuing one’s passions, despite the
danger that it may involve. This confidence was a statement in itself, motivating and
encouraging countless women who hoped to make a foray into aviation.
The influence of this remarkable aviator significantly increase through the role as a
feature writer for Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly. In the essays detailing her aviation experiences, she
educated other women about the possibilities in flying and women began writing to her about
working in aviation. Her articles in Good Housekeeping portrayed aeronautics not just as a sport
but as a pathway to independence. Quimby acted as a source of support and inspiration for
many women by sharing her knowledge and experiences to help them navigate the challenges
of a male-dominated field. She envisioned a world where women could “fly passengers and
freights, take aerial photographs, train students, and do everything connected with aviation”
(Peckham, 2014, p. 8). This vision encouraged women to challenge their limitations and societal
expectations.
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Additionally, creativity played a crucial role in Quimby’s approach to aviation. She was
known for wearing a bright purple satin flying suit which made her stand out in aviation and
inspired other women to seek careers in the field. She mixed womanliness with flying,
challenging the traditionally held gender roles, showing the world that that women too could
master traditionally male-dominated professions. Her image calls out for women aviators to be
themselves, come out, and confidently pursue their dreams. A perfect example of
representation that is needed to break barriers for the next generation. Quimby’s new ideas not
only challenged the old notion regarding women’s ability but also offered many other lessons in
leadership.
The lasting effect of Quimby’s work continues to inspire female representation within
male-dominated areas. Throughout her life, she became the first American woman to receive a
pilot’s license and the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel. Thus, drastically
changing the view about women in aviation. As Quimby herself said, "There is no reason why a
women flyer a woman flyer could not do this work if she chooses” (Hillin, 2019, p. 25). This
statement showed that she believed in what women can do and that they should have the same
chances to follow their dreams and careers. The legacy she carried demonstrated that a women
can make it in a man’s world, therefore inspiring young women to be aviators without insisting
on limitations.
Embracing courage fills me with excitement as I step into the unknown and chase my
dreams of flying. As I set out on my adventure to become the first pilot in my family, I find
motivation within the achievements of Harriet Quimby. Leaving behind all of my friends and
home for Liberty University was a leap that has not been easy to make, considering the fact that
I was the only girl in my class to ever do so. Making this bold choice made me more compelled
to make further steps toward making new friends. For instance, I reach out to a fellow student
on collaborating in a project which blossomed into a great friendship. Quimby has taught me
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that one could battles the challenges of society and march into the unknown, bruised but
resilient.
The inspiring life of Harriet Quimby has made me realize the power of influencing
people, especially women in aviation. I try to live out a good life by trying to be just like Harriet
Quimby in breaking barriers in their field for women. For example, I helped my best friend
Maggie through her faith journey. Although not all of her questions could be answered, I did
discuss with her and provided my views to the best of my abilities. Similarly, when I was asked to
speak at the Youth Group Conferences, I grasped that opportunity to share my personal
experiences and encouraged others to embark on their own journey. From all these leadership
opportunities, I have come to realize that just a little support can make all the difference.
Harriet Quimby’s creativity motivates me to lead with imagination and encourages those
around me to embrace their differences. I strive to diffuse the tension in a stressful situation by
adding humor with friends and family. Through creative arts and storytelling, I express myself in
a manner that helps to connect others toward open discussions. I thrive on gathering around all
sorts of ideas and view from every individuals present. Creativity can be expressed in many
forms, I try to appreciate all the talents of those around me. This mirrors Quimby's journey
because she proudly represented the fact that daring and stylish women can soar, too. By
encouraging collaboration and the use of imagination, I can build a path much as Quimby did
for women fliers.
Harriet Quimby's pioneering spirit and extraordinary achievements have moved me to
create my own journey into aviation. The courage of being distinctive, unlike societal norms, and
the novelty of self-expression have taught me much-today. Management is not just about
pursuing my passions but also about lifting others up in the process. Quimby has taught me that
I should embrace my uniqueness and share the collaborative spirit with my companions. This
enables us to make a difference in our field by valuing diverse perspectives and supporting each
other.
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References
Erisman, F. (2021). In their own words: Forgotten women pilots of early aviation. Purdue
University Press. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317622
Hillin, S. (2019). The rhetorical arts of women in aviation, 1911-1970. Lexington Books.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=6196222#goto_toc
Peckham, R. (2014). Navigating with Harriet Quimby: The aviatrix sits in her Bleriot plane in this
undated photo. Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 94(2), 7-9.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/1528365425?
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G91pTc5f7JfDaFKJuVZuYxNipb9fKD7EbA%3D&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
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