For Women’s History Month, we at MOCA would like to revisit our recent collections of materials related to Katherine Sui Fun Cheung. Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, the first Asian Aviatrix recognized by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum was a remarkable pioneer of early aviation. Born in Enping, China in 1904, Katherine came to the United States at the age of 17 on a student visa and it was during this time that she developed an infatuation with flying. In 1931, she would realize her dream of becoming a pilot by graduating from the Chinese Aeronautical Association in Los Angeles and flying solo after just 12 hours of training flights. As both a female and Chinese pilot, Katherine pushed the envelope for what was considered “possible” and “appropriate” for women in both Western and Eastern cultures. As Katherine would often be attributed to saying: “I don’t see why women have to stay in the kitchen when instead they could learn to fly.”
Revisiting the Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Collection
Symbol of Chinese Pride
As a Chinese Aviatrix, Katherine garnered attention from national media in addition to the Chinese community, especially among the California Chinese. Newspapers in both Chinese and English covered her competitions, expo visits, sponsorships, and commendations from sponsoring organizations.
The Sorority of Women Pilots
Katherine Cheung was without exaggeration, part of the 1% of licensed pilots who were female during the 30s. In this male-dominated environment of the early 20th century, organizations and support groups would undoubtedly come into existence for women pilots to advocate for women’s rights and provide mutual assistance where necessary. Katherine participated in many organizations for women pilots, most notably the Ninety-Nines whose first president was Emilia Earnhardt. She and other fellow pilots would participate in races together and gain fame and recognition as pilots that were able to achieve the same as men. Katherine and many other women pilots would be acknowledged and respected as pioneers. Throughout her lifetime, Katherine would receive many accolades for her accomplishments as a Chinese-American female pilot. Examples include having her name plaque at the Flight Path Museum, a statue raised in her hometown in Enping, China, and an induction into the Women in Aviation International’s Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2000. It was also in 2000, at the age of 90, that she would take to the skies for perhaps the last time with her great-grandchildren. Katherine Cheung passed away at the age of 93 in 2003 and was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
