Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton, Texas, is taking pivotal steps to ensure that the contributions of ‘Generation 2’ female military aviators are as recognized and celebrated as those of Generations 1 and 3. The university, which already plays an essential role in preserving the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, is partnering with the Women Military Aviators, Inc. (WMA) to archive and tell the stories of the women who broke barriers between the 1970s and 1990s.
The Generation 2 aviators were pioneers, as they were among the first women to graduate from U.S. Navy and Air Force training programs. These women flew various military aircraft worldwide, played crucial roles in operations like Desert Storm, and paved the way for modern female combat aviators by challenging the Department of Defense to lift the combat exclusion on women. Notable figures among them include Colonel Marcy Atwood, Colonel Kathy Cosand, and Lt. Colonel Margie Varuska, who performed essential military functions such as medical evacuations and disaster relief missions, despite facing limitations and bureaucratic hurdles.
TWU has a long-standing history of honoring female aviators, with historian Kate Landdeck contributing significantly to recognizing the WASP through her research and publication of ‘The Women with Silver Wings.’ The university is the official archive for WASP documents, photos, and oral histories. This collaboration with the WMA seeks to create similar archives for Generation 2, ensuring their significant yet underrecognized history is no longer overshadowed.
Understanding the importance of their contributions, these aviators are now speaking out, authoring books, and working with TWU to preserve their legacies. This effort aims to educate future generations about the obstacles and achievements of these pioneering women who enabled current and future female aviators to serve in combat roles. The archives will capture their stories and contributions, ensuring the preservation of their legacy beyond mere anecdotes of history.