Huda Esmat

First Egyptian female pilot, breaking gender barriers in aviation during the 1930s.

Huda Esmat (1912–1998) was a pioneering Egyptian aviator who became the first Egyptian woman to obtain a pilot's license in 1933. Born into a family of modest means, she defied societal norms by pursuing aviation, a field dominated by men at the time. Her journey began after witnessing a flight demonstration in Cairo, which ignited her passion for flying. Despite financial and social challenges, she saved money to enroll in flight school in France, where she trained under strict conditions. Esmat's achievement was monumental, as it challenged traditional gender roles and inspired countless women to pursue careers in aviation. She later became an advocate for women's rights, using her platform to promote education and professional opportunities for Egyptian women. Her legacy is celebrated in Egypt through exhibitions and documentaries, such as the 2018 film Skyward Dreams, which highlights her struggles and triumphs. Esmat's story is documented in the book 《The Sky Belongs to Us》, authored by historian Layla Al-Masri. Her contributions are also recognized in the Wikipedia page dedicated to her, which details her impact on Egyptian aviation history.