During this summer term, I am enrolled History of Women in the US Part II (which covers the Era of Reconstruction through present day).  For extra credit, we, as students, can bring in news relating to women.  Yesterday, I brought in the news regarding President Obama giving the women of WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) the Congressional Gold Metal. I gave a brief history of WASP, so the class could get a gist of how ground-breaking these women were, how they were not considered military personnel, and followed with bringing it to today with Obama. My instructor for this class didn’t even know what WASP was!  Needless to say, I was mortified.  In the fall, I am taking a class all about WWII, and I hope to write about WASP, since I find them to simply amazing!

If you’ve never heard of WASP, like my instructor, here is a brief explanation: created in 1941, during WWII, women were called to duty to perform non-combat, ferry missions.  This left men to perform strictly combat missions.  The women of WASP were the first women to ever fly military aircrafts.  Over 1000 women joined, and 38 of them gave their lives during missions.  Since these women were considered civil service employees they did not receive military benefits.  It wasn’t until 1977, with the G.I. Bill Improvement Act, under the Carter Administration, with the help of Republican Senator Barry Goldwater (and 1964 presidential hopeful), who was a ferry pilot himself, did these women get their benefits retroactively.

Fast forward to today, on July 1, 2009, President Obama awarded WASP the Congressional Gold Metal for their service.  Obama said these women “answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much,” he continued to say “Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give me some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve”.  These women were certainly pioneers, and certainly don’t get enough attention.

Also on the same note of female pilots, the trailer for the Amelia Earhart bio-pic, Amelia is out!  Earhart has always been an icon of mine, she was one of the gutsiest ladies in history.  The film stars 2-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank in the title role, and co-stars Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor.  Release date is set for 23rd of October.  You can bet I’ll be there!