Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a program during World War II that trained women pilots to fly military aircraft. Established in 1942, WASP aimed to free up male pilots for combat by assigning women to non-combat roles, such as ferrying planes and training. Over 1,000 women participated, overcoming significant challenges, including societal norms that questioned women’s capabilities in aviation. Although disbanded in 1944, WASP members played a crucial role in integrating women into military aviation, and their contributions were recognized decades later, leading to official military veteran status in 1977.