At a time when most women were relegated to the home, Jacqueline Cochran set flight records and inspired women to take their place in the budding field of aviation. Cochran’s efforts over the course of her unique career greatly widened the scope of opportunity not only for female pilots, but for all women in a traditionally male world. Against all odds, Cochran went on to become the first female pilot to break the sound barrier, eventually becoming an active supporter of women’s participation in NASA’s astronaut program.