On March 8 1910, Raymonde de Laroche of France became the first woman to earn a pilot license worldwide. In September of the same year, Bessica Medlar Raiche, a Wisconsin native, became the first woman to solo an airplane on the American continent.

One hundred year later, to celebrate the achievements of these trailblazing women, pilots introduced 1647 girls and women to the joys of flying in 29 countries on 4 continents. They conducted the flights in balloons, gliders, ultralights, airplanes and helicopters.

“The ultimate winners were the hundreds of girls and women who discovered flying thanks to this campaign. May they fly forward the gift they received,” says Mireille Goyer, the Centennial of Women Pilots campaign organizer.

“Flying gives me the feeling of being carefree and all worries seem to disappear while in the air. Kind of like a piece of heaven looking over everyone. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” said Meredith, a lady introduced to flying in Oshawa, ON, Canada. “Thanks for bringing that dream a little closer. She's not even two. She blew kisses to the other airplanes on the way down, and talked about the flight the whole way home. I know the experience will stay with her, and with us, for a long time to come,” said Nikki who flew with her daughter in Renton, WA, USA.