Nadia Shawki

Egypt's first female pilot who broke aviation barriers in the 1930s Middle East

Nadia Shawki (1919-2001) shattered gender stereotypes as Egypt's first licensed female pilot. Born in Alexandria, she began flying lessons in 1936 against strong societal opposition. After completing rigorous training at the Egypt Air Academy, she earned her pilot's license in 1939 - the first Arab woman to do so. Her historic flight from Cairo to Khartoum in 1940 made international headlines and inspired a generation of Arab women.

During WWII, Shawki served as a transport pilot for the Egyptian Air Force, flying supply missions across North Africa. Post-war, she founded the Nadia Shawki Aviation School in 1952, training over 200 female pilots. Her 1955 autobiography became a feminist classic.

Shawki's achievements were internationally recognized when she became the first woman inducted into the Middle East Aviation Heritage Hall in 1998. Modern Egyptian aviation regulations still reference her pioneering work in gender equality clauses. The NASA article on aviation pioneers highlights her as a key figure in Middle Eastern aerospace history.