- About 1,100 young women flew military aircraft stateside during World War II as part of a program called Women Airforce Service Pilots — WASP for short.
- The women in this program were civilian volunteers who ferried and tested planes so male pilots could head to combat duty.
- The WASP expected to become part of the military during their service. Instead, the program was canceled after 2 short years.
- They weren't granted military status until the 1970s.
- They nearly fell through the cracks in history until March 10, 2010, when the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
I can't do these amazing women justice with my own words. You really have to see and here it yourself.
- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124533914&ps=rs
- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123773525&ps=rs
- Listen here: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?
- WASP Interactive, courtesy of NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124367587
- WASP on the Web: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/index.htm
- There's even a PBS film entitled, Fly Girls. More info here, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/flygirls/
Now these are Fly Girls that I can understand! You go girls!
