Katherine Cheung
"There’s no feeling like it in the
world,” she said. “Being up in the air, the wind blowing, the
exhilaration…that’s my definition of joy. It’s complete freedom. You haven’t
lived until you’ve truly felt that.”
-Katherine Cheung
-Katherine Cheung
Katherine Cheung. Image from The Ninety-Nines, Inc. an international organization of licensed women pilots from 35 countries
At the age of 17 Katherine Cheung immigrated to the U.S; and was from a very conservative family in China. In 1932 , she was the first licensed female Asian American aviator. She flew as a commercial airline pilot and a daredevil pilot performing stunts and tricks. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, Inc. and promoted women in aviation.
Ms. Cheung, born in China in 1904 became the first Female Asian American to become a licensed pilot in the United States in 1932.-Image of Silk Card from The YOMYOMF Network.
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Katherine with women of the 99s. Established in 1929 by 99 women pilots, the members of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, are represented in all areas of aviation today. Image from Library of Congress
1994 Cheung at awards banquet. Cesar Chavez Blvd. Chinatown, Los Angeles. Image from the Library of Congress
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"She married
her father’s business partner George Young. Cheung said she would agree to
marry Young only under two conditions: she had to keep her last name and she
was going to become a pilot. Young agreed. “He didn’t really have a choice,”
Cheung said and the affection for her late husband was evident in her voice.
“But he was more enlightened than most men (of that time) so it wasn’t an issue
with him at all.”
-The YOMYOMF Network
-The YOMYOMF Network