Hazel Ying Lee was one of the first Chinese American women pilots. Born in Portland, Oregon, to parents who had immigrated from China, Lee went to work as an elevator operator to earn money toward flying lessons. In October 1932, thanks to the money saved from her work and support from the Portland Chinese Benevolent Society, Lee earned her pilot’s license. She was one of the first Chinese American women to do so. She was one of two Chinese American women accepted into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II, a group of women pilots that ferried aircraft, freeing up male pilots for the front. Among the aircraft Lee flew as a WASP were the P-51 Mustang and P-63 Kingcobra. She was one of only 30 WASPs to do so. Tragically, Lee died in the line of duty when she collided with another plane while delivering a P-63 to Great Falls, Montana. #APAHM #AAPIHeritageMonth #AAPIHM