“Today is the day when the WASPs will make history once again,” the female colonel told the gathered crowd. “If you spend any time at all talking to these wonderful women, you'll notice how humble and gracious and selfless they all are. Their motives for wanting to fly airplanes all those years ago wasn't for fame or glory or recognition. They simply had a passion to take what gifts they had and use them and they let no one get in their way.”
Lily sat listening to the speech, her mind filled with a lifetime of memories; she looked down to her hands, sitting in her palm were two sets of polished silver wings.
***
Entry In May 2012 Airforce Magazine
An open letter by 1st Lt Joanne Parsons
April 7th 2012
I am privileged
Had you asked me a couple years ago, I would have admitted this readily and put it down to the luck and chance of being born to a woman, who was married to a man whose career choice meant that he was rich. I'm not bragging about this, as no part of that was my doing…but I benefited. I grew up in Beverly Hills (with the zip code from the show that no one admits to ever having watched) I went to good schools; my college choice didn't come down to scholarship opportunities. Like I said…
I am privileged
However that was two years ago, ask me today - and I know I'm lucky not with the family I was born into but the era I was born in.
After college I wanted to serve my country by doing what I loved, and there was no-one stopping me (apart from an overwrought mother).
I am privileged
I was born in an era when who you love is becoming less, and less, of an issue (I hope future generations will be even more privileged than mine) thankfully who you love now does not stop you serving your country. I can now be open and honest about the photograph of the dark-haired, brown-eyed woman dressed in scrubs that I keep with me at all times – her name is Ellie.
I am privileged
So why the change?
Well just over two years ago I was chosen to provide an escort to an elderly woman to a ceremony, not a prospect that I relished (children, animals and old people are not my forte) However, the woman I met was Lily Rivera and the event was the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the WASP.
If you're asking yourself the who? You wouldn't be alone! I did the same when I got my orders…so here's the History bit.
To free up male pilots during WW2 over 1000 women holding civilian pilot licenses and meeting the entry criteria, left their jobs from all walks of life to undergo the same training as male pilots, becoming the first women authorized to fly military aircraft. They delivered planes, flew utility, became target practice for gunners and taught male pilots that flying the B-26 could be done, and some gave their life for their country… and they did all of this as civilians.
It wasn't until the 1970’s that the government recognized their contribution and provided them with military status. In 1944, the experiment ended and those women returned to their lives, many never talked about what they had done during the war, even their families didn't know.
Lily Rivera was twenty-five and a violinist in the NY Philharmonic Orchestra when she was accepted into the program. She graduated top cadet of her class and assigned to transit duties, she flew over nine-hundred hours in the WASP uniform by the time her service was completed. (When you consider that her service was a yearlong…that's a lot of flying) including showing the men a thing or two in the infamous 'Widowmaker.'
I am privileged
Lily and women like her fought prejudice, discrimination, and often, outright hostility. In doing so, they are the reason why when I chose to serve my country…the opportunity existed.
I am privileged
During her time as a WASP, Lily met the love of her life, Helen Richmond. Helen was a stunt pilot and occasional derby racer, who also rose to the call for female pilots. From the stories told, theirs was a love story worthy of an epic movie. Their relationship spanned decades that saw civil rights increase regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation. They raised a family and ran a successful business, teaching their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to ‘Leave the world a better place than they found it.’ Their love did not even end with the death of Helen in 2008 at the age of ninety-two. I never had the opportunity to meet Helen, but I know that her legacy lives on in those that loved her.
I am privileged
I can honestly say that the time I spent with Lily both on that day in 2010, and beyond, opened my eyes and made me appreciate what I previously took for granted. She made me consider how I want the world to be when I leave it and how I would relish a love that would last a lifetime as she experienced. But, mostly, I am privileged to have met such an inspirational, funny, courageous and filthy-mouthed woman and I, as a strong independent privileged woman, salute her.
Liliana Rivera: 25 August 1918 - 31 March 2012
About the Author
HP Munro lives in Scotland with her wife and a dog called Boo.
You can connect with HP through [email protected]
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