Hélène Dutrieu

Pioneering Belgian aviator and cyclist who shattered gender barriers in early 20th-century aviation

Hélène Dutrieu (1877–1961) was a trailblazer in aviation, becoming one of the first female pilots to break into the male-dominated field of early flight. Her fearless spirit and technical prowess earned her the nickname 'The Girl Hawk'.

In 1910, she became the fourth woman in the world to earn a pilot's license. She set multiple records, including a women's altitude record of 300 meters and won the Coupe Femina for the longest flight by a woman (2 hours 35 minutes) in 1911. Beyond aviation, she was also a champion cyclist and motorcycle racer, defying societal expectations for women.

Dutrieu's legacy expanded during WWI when she served as an ambulance driver, proving women's capabilities in crisis zones. Post-war, she became France's first female airplane manufacturer, further cementing her role in aerospace innovation.