Category Archives: History

“The Air is the Only Place Free of Prejudices”

Bessie Coleman was a courageous pioneer in early aviation. A self made stunt pilot and aviatrix, she travelled twice to France to earn her wings and hone her craft, spending her lifetime inspiring others to challenge stereotypes and societal limitations.

Could this be the person who inspired Indiana Jones? Hint: it’s not who you expect

Stuck inside on COVID19 quarantine?  Scared you might be a carrier and don’t know it yet?  Well, pop two Airbornes, wash your hands and sit down to read about one of the world’s most interesting people – Aloha Wanderwell. Aloha Wanderwell was born in Canada as Idris Galcia Hall in Oct 1906 to two BritishContinue reading “Could this be the person who inspired Indiana Jones? Hint: it’s not who you expect”

Vengeance by Princess Olga of Kiev

There are rare times in history when the ingenuity and courage of leaders are captured in such a way as to inspire generations behind them, but Milieux has discovered another such leader in Princess Olga of Kiev. Princess Olga, also known as Saint Olga, was born sometime in the 10th century to a royal family.Continue reading “Vengeance by Princess Olga of Kiev”

The lack of Female Statues in the United States

Momentum is growing to increase the number of women statues that are present in the United States. Only 8% ( a generous estimation by Lilylines.com- some websites report as low as 4%) of statues are devoted to and built in the figures of actual American women pioneers. This is a shame, given that the UnitedContinue reading “The lack of Female Statues in the United States”

Mary Katharine Goddard and the Declaration of Independence

With the 4th of July quickly approaching, this article came to mind.  Mary Katherine Goddard took advantage of an entrepreneurial moment by publishing the Declaration of Independence when others could not.  May she not be forgotten in history…   Mary Katharine Goddard and the Declaration of Independence #entrepreneur #UShistory #revolution

D-Day Tribute to the WASPs

On this, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Milieux Project would like to remember the women that composed the original FlyGirls: The Women’s Auxiliary Service Pilots who were critical to the Allied Air Operation over the largest amphibious assault in history. Established in 1942 and disbanded 2 and a half years later – these brave andContinue reading “D-Day Tribute to the WASPs”

Legends in Flight Airshow Experience

    It all started with someone posting a quick reply to a post on Facebook I made in March, “Jenn, I have an opportunity for you, I’ll be in touch soon.”  My friend and I connected and he shared his idea – I called Carrie and she said: “let’s do it- let’s have aContinue reading “Legends in Flight Airshow Experience”

WASP Homecoming 25 May 2019

  Did you know the WASPs are having a reunion?  It is one of the only opportunities that 4 of the original 1830 WASPs will be available for interviews.  We at Milieux are obsessed with the W.A.S.P.s, the W.A.V.E.S. and the W.A.C.. The history of aviation is full of amazing stories of bravery and accomplishment. ButContinue reading “WASP Homecoming 25 May 2019”

The Nightwitch Bombers-delivering fear in the night

If you haven’t read about Marina Raskova and the NightWitches- you are missing out on some amazing history. Deployed out of need in WWII, the Soviet Union commissioned Maj Raskova to find 400 women to fill out their fighter and night bombing squadrons- including the 588th pictured above. They fit the women into any uniformsContinue reading “The Nightwitch Bombers-delivering fear in the night”

“Eyes Above the Horizon” and the Legacy Flight Academy

This past weekend marked the second annual “Eyes Above the Horizon” airshow at the historic Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Hundreds of children from across the United States came to see multiple civil and military aircraft ranging from a single-engine Cessna-150s and Beechcraft Texan T-6 all the way to Multi-Engine corporate jets like the Hawker 800 flownContinue reading ““Eyes Above the Horizon” and the Legacy Flight Academy”

Women in Aviation Conference – Meeting Tammie Jo Shults

  It was such an honor to not only meet (!) but converse with a real live hero- Tammie Jo Shults, captain of the fated Southwest Airlines flight 1380 that suffered a catastrophic engine failure in flight- at the Women in Aviation International conference (#WAI2019) held in Long Beach, CA!   Milieux Project had previouslyContinue reading “Women in Aviation Conference – Meeting Tammie Jo Shults”

Betty Skelton and her need for speed

While on a trip to Pensacola, FL recently to visit friends, I had time to stop in and visit the Airplane  Discovery Park at the Pensacola Airport.  It’s a neat little place for kids that has a mock runway and tower as well as some plaques about local aviators.  Little did I know what I wasContinue reading “Betty Skelton and her need for speed”

This day in History: Queen Lili’uokalani

A part of US history not often remembered this day in history – Hawaii’s first and last Queen was illegally arrested and held captive the rest of her life by the United States. Despite multiple attempts to convince American interests in the area that Hawaii was a sovereign nation (the first to have central powerContinue reading “This day in History: Queen Lili’uokalani”

Queen Boudica

 Atlas Obscura is one of Milieux’s favorite blogs to read- it is a fantastic source of history and interesting tourist sites.  This article on Queen Boudica and the statue dedicated to her in London, England does not disappoint.  Read more about this amazing example of immense courage and inspiration here.  And if reading is not yourContinue reading “Queen Boudica”

Valentina Tereshkova – First woman in Space and Thoughts for the “Space Force”

  Perhaps you didn’t know, but the record for the first woman in space was not held by an American (gasp!) but a Russian woman the Chicago Tribune dubbed “The Russian Blonde in Space”… even though she wasn’t even blonde. Despite how “modern” we like to think America is, there is still much stereotyping andContinue reading “Valentina Tereshkova – First woman in Space and Thoughts for the “Space Force””

I wonder what 184 mph on a bike is like

Last month, Denise Mueller-Korenek, a 45-year-old American woman and mother of 3, rode a bicycle across the Utah desert at 183.9 mph.  And I thought flying that fast was pretty cool… I don’t know why this didn’t make bigger news – must have taken a lot of heart.  Way to go Denise!  #dreambig #bikelikecrazy #womeninhistory