Short Biography: Katharine Stinson

Gabrielle Rabito Katharine Stinson was born September 18, 1917 in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Growing up, Stinson was fascinated by airplanes, which isn’t a surprise considering she grew up in the same state that the Wright brothers flew the very first plane 14 years before she was born. Her first ride was when she was ten years old, with a former World War 1 pilot, Eddie Stinson. Ever since that first ride, Katharine knew that her goal in life was to fly a plane. She got a job at the Raleigh Airport where she assisted mechanics in exchange for flying lessons. Coincidentally, this is also where Stinson met her female flight icon, Amelia Earhart, in 1931. Earhart was inspired by Katharine’s determination, but she gave her career advice that had never crossed Katharine’s mind before. She suggested that Stinson study engineering as well as work towards getting her pilot’s license because engineering was a much better paying job. This advice from Amelia really stuck with Katharine for
She worked for the FAA for 32 years and managed to accomplished many things throughout her career. Stinson became assistant chief and later chief of the CAA Aircraft Engineering Division Specifications Staff. Up until her retirement in 1973, Stinson was technical assistant to the chief of the FAA Aircraft Engineering Division. Throughout her career, Stinson also took part in and founded many groups, such as the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots and the Society of Women Engineers where she served as president from 1953 to 1955. She also served on President Lyndon Johnson's Women's Advisory Committee on Aviation from 1964 to 1970, served as an officer in the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences. Stinson also belonged to the Soroptimist Club, serving president from 1970 to