COLUMBIA, S.C. — Historians and aviation lovers gathered to remember aviation history and look forward to a bright future.
On Saturday, the Jim Hamilton Airport held a day of remembrance as dozens gathered for the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation's open house. According to the organizers, they wanted to emphasize women's contributions to aviation history. One area of conversation was around women who built planes during World War II.
"They had a collective name of 'Rosie the Riveter.' And these women were putting together aircraft at an incredible rate. Matter of fact, the B-25 behind me, if you took all the plants and put them together, they were producing one every 24 hours," he said.
He said the most famous female aviator, Amelia Earheart, stopped by Columbia in the early 1930s.
"She came into the airport in 1931. Demonstrating the Pitcairn autogyro," Berry said.
The hangar was filled with memorabilia and historians sharing stories. Stanley Rikard, who works as a reenactor, highlighted female journalists.
"Margret [Bourke-White], she served in the European theater in South Africa. And Dicky [Chapelle], she served in the Pacific theater," he said. "They were pretty gutsy women, and they went into the heat of the action to get the photos and get the stories."
Not only is the past of female aviators a storied one, but the future looks bright, too. Emma Steed, at only 18 years old, has already completed a multi-engine commercial pilot license and has flown through all 50 states.
"It just clicked; it was obsessed with it," she said.
She's among a minority of female pilots. According to data from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in 2021, fewer than 6% of pilots worldwide were female. The FAA's Women in Aviation Advisory Board said in 2022, women made up less than 20% of the workforce in most aviation occupations.
"You don't see many kids in aviation, especially girls, but that's beginning to change," Steed said. "I don't think many people consider it a possibility, and there's not enough information about it to people who might be interested in it."
She has advice for any other young women who may want to be pilots like her.
"It is possible, and once they do it, it is the best thing ever," Steed said. "Push past your comfort zone, and just put yourself out there."
The historic aviation foundation will host another open house on April 13.