Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, achieving the feat in 1953. During her career as a pilot, Cochran broke records left and right – in fact, it is believed that at the time of her death in 1980, she held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other male or female pilot in aviation history. Cochran flew a range of aircraft, including a Beech D-17W Staggerwing, a Lockheed Lodestar, a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet (to break the sound barrier), and a Northrop T-38 Talon (on display at the Museum in DC). She also flew many types of military aircraft during World War II as director of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a group of women who participated in the war effort, ferrying aircraft and personnel, towing targets, and fulfilling other transport duties. #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM #WomensHistory #WomenInAviation #AirSpacePhoto