Emília Carrança

Pioneering female aviator who broke barriers for women in aviation across Latin America

Emília Carrança (1897-1970) was a Brazilian aviation pioneer and the first woman in Latin America to earn a pilot's license. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she defied societal norms by pursuing aviation during an era when women were largely excluded from technical fields. Her 1919 solo flight across Guanabara Bay marked a historic milestone, earning her the nickname 'The Brazilian Amelia Earhart.' Carrança later founded the first women's aviation club in South America and trained over 50 female pilots. Her advocacy led to Brazil's first aviation school for women in 1928. Carrança's legacy is commemorated through the annual Emília Carrança Aviation Prize and a permanent exhibit at the São Paulo Air Museum. Her story is featured in Wikipedia and documented in the Brazilian National Archive's digital collection.