H @ l une Dutrieu, Belgian Aviatrix and Cyclist

HcelC ne Dutrieu (July 10, 1877 - June 26, 1961) was a Belgian cyclist, daredevil, and pioneer aviator. Leopold II of Belgium awarded Dutrieu the Cross of St Andrce with diamonds in honor of her cycling success. She later became a motorcycle and automobile racer. Dutrieu learned to fly using a Santos-Dumont Demoiselle monoplane in early 1910. In 1910 Dutrieu became the first Belgian woman, licensed as an airplane pilot, receiving Aero Club of Belgium license, 27. Her appearances at air shows earned her the nickname the Girl Hawk. There was a minor scandal early in her aviation career when it was revealed to the press that she did not wear a corset while flying. She was also style conscious, wearing the first known high fashion pilot suit, designed by the Paris couturier Bernard. In 1913 Dutrieu became the first woman aviator awarded membership of the Legion of Honor. During WWI she became an ambulance driver and was put in charge of the ambulances at Messimi Hospital. After the war she became a journalist. In 1922 she married Pierre Mortier and took French nationality. She later became vice president of the womenE??s section of the Aero Club of France. She died in1961 at the age of 83

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12697504

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47704748

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4350px x 3097px (2.1MB)

Credit

LOC/Science Source/Mary Evans