Near McKeesport in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Helen Richey
(1909-1947)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011
1. Helen Richey Marker
In 1934 this McKeesport native became the 1st woman to pilot a commercial airliner. Discriminated against because she was a woman, she resigned within a year and went on to become the 1st woman licensed instructor by the Civil Aeronautics Authority; and in World War II, the commandant of the American wing, British Air Transport Auxiliary; member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots; and Major by the war's end.
Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Women. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 40° 20.438′ N, 79° 49.636′ W. Marker is near McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is on Eden Park Boulevard 0 miles north of Tulip Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located next McKeesport Fire Station #2. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: McKeesport PA 15132, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: David McKee (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); American Legion Post 701 Memorial
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Helen Richey. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Historic McKeesport aviator to be profiled in documentary. September 7, 2006 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article (Submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. Helen Richey. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on February 20, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011
2. Helen Richey Marker
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel
3. Helen Richey
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,167 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
