Mount Hope in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Eileen Vollick (1908-1968)
Photographed By Tim Boyd, July 18, 2023
1. Eileen Vollick 1908-1968 Marker
Canada's first licensed woman pilot, Eileen Vollick was born in Wiarton and came to Hamilton about 1911. She was fascinated by aviation and in 1927 enrolled in the flying school established near her home on Hamilton Bay by Jack V Elliot, a Hamilton businessman and pioneer in Canadian commercial aviation. The spirited Eileen Vollick devoted her spare time to flying and soon mastered the school's Curtiss JN-4 training aircraft. On March 13, 1928, she passed the federal aviation test and nine days later she was issued a private pilot's certificate. This significant achievement opened Canadian aviation to women and many became licensed pilots, and participants in various airshows and special flights throughout Canada. From 1929 Eileen Vollick lived in New York where she died.
Erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 13, 1928.
Location. 43° 9.553′ N, 79° 55.538′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rymal Family Heritage (approx. 8.3 kilometers away); The Founding of Ancaster (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); William Terryberry (1779-1847) (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); “The Bloody Assize” 1814 (approx. 8.6 kilometers away); Chedoke, More than a Sanatorium (approx. 8.8 kilometers away); “Bobby” Kerr 1882-1963 (approx. 9.5 kilometers away); The Honourable Isaac Buchanan and Auchmar/Isaac Buchanan the Builder (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); Native Trail Networks (approx. 9.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.
Also see . . . Canada’s History - Unacquainted with Fear. How Eileen Vollick became the first Canadian woman to earn a pilot's licence.
Eileen was inspired to break in to the formerly male-only domain. “As I drove past the aerodrome a small still voice whispered, ‘Go ahead, brave the lion in his den.’ I proposed to learn to fly, and feared being turned down or laughed at.”(Submitted on July 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed By Tim Boyd, July 18, 2023
2. Eileen Vollick 1908-1968 Marker
3. Eileen Vollick in flight gear
Source: Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
