Jacqueline Cochran
American aviator and businesswoman (1906-1980) · United States · On the map · Politicians · Died at 74
Jacqueline Cochran was an American pilot and business executive. She pioneered women's aviation and was the first woman to break the sound barrier on 18 May 1953.
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Photos 12
Portrait painting of Jacqueline Cochran, oil on canvas, by Howard Chandler Christy (1872-1952)![1938 Bendix Race[9]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Jackie_Cochran_at_1938_Bendix_Race.jpg)
1938 Bendix Race[9]
Cochran in the cockpit of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.
Cochran (center) with WASP trainees![Cochran in her record-setting Canadair Sabre 3, talking with Chuck Yeager[20]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Cochrane_with_Yeager.jpg/500px-Cochrane_with_Yeager.jpg)
Cochran in her record-setting Canadair Sabre 3, talking with Chuck Yeager[20]
Cochran with General Hap Arnold![Cochran and Yeager being presented with the Harmon International Trophies by President Dwight Eisenhower[20]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Cochran_and_Yeager_awarded_by_Eisenhower.jpg/500px-Cochran_and_Yeager_awarded_by_Eisenhower.jpg)
Cochran and Yeager being presented with the Harmon International Trophies by President Dwight Eisenhower[20]Awards
About this person
Cochran was the wartime head of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) (1943-1944), which employed about 1,000 civilian American women in a non-combat role to ferry planes from factories to port cities. Later on, Cochran was initially a sponsor of the Mercury 13 women astronaut program, before testifying against it in a congressional subcommittee.
