Asenath Abebe

Ethiopian aviation pioneer who broke gender and racial barriers in early 20th century flight

Asenath Abebe (1908-1975) was an Ethiopian aviator who became Africa's first female pilot and a global aviation innovator. Defying cultural norms, she learned mechanics at Imperial Ethiopian Airlines in the 1930s before earning her pilot's license in 1941 - the first African woman to do so. She developed specialized flight techniques for mountainous terrain, later used in Himalayan and Andean routes. Her 1952 record-setting flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi in a modified Dragon Rapide inspired generations of female pilots. Abebe's technical manuals like Aerial Navigation in Tropical Climates remain aviation standards. The Ethiopian Aviation Heritage Society honors her legacy with annual flight competitions. Her 1963 autobiography Altitude and Attitude details her groundbreaking career.