the Fastest Women in World: Jackie Cochran

Jackie Cochran became one of the most accomplished pilots in aviation history, holding more speed, distance, and altitude records than any other flyer - man or woman - of her era. In 1953, she became the first woman to break the sound barrier, and in 1964 she pushed the limits even further, surpassing Mach 2. She also played a decisive role in shaping opportunities for women in aviation. Through persistence and political skill, she persuaded government and military leaders to establish the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a program of more than 1,000 female pilots that she led during World War II. These women tested experimental aircraft, ferried thousands of planes between bases, and carried out a wide range of critical duties across the United States - freeing male pilots for combat at a time when women were barred from serving in combat roles. Beyond the cockpit, Jackie was equally formidable. She founded and ran a nationwide cosmetics company for nearly three decades, traveled extensively around the world, and hosted U.S. and international dignitaries - alongside close friends - at her fabled ranch in the California desert. It was often said that people either loved her or hated her. She could be a tough critic, set in her ways, and was frequently described as having a personality "like sandpaper." Yet that same unyielding drive carried a nearly illiterate girl from a Florida mill town into the company of presidents, military leaders, and some of the most influential figures of her time.