Captain Angela Masson

Angela Masson flies an "Integrated Flight Deck" simulator as a research test pilot for NASA, Langley Research Center, VA - 2006

Always eternally grateful for the opportunity, I was the second woman hired at American Airlines. When Bonnie Tiburzi retired early, I inherited the designation of "Senior Female Pilot at American Airlines", a title I retained for over a decade, until retirement. And, maybe because of it (or perhaps in spite of it), I always wanted very much to be the best pilot I could be: fly the largest, fastest, most modern equipment; take on the most difficult and challenging destinations; fly the longest and/or newest routes; and make sure that in doing so, represent what is the best of what we, as women, can be and do.

And, yes, I am very proud of all my "sisters" who fly. The fact that now more women are flying makes everyone's job easier. As more women choose to make flying a career, there is less individual pressure to set a standard, to be perfect, or to represent our gender as a "token woman."

Captain Angela Masson with Boeing 777 Domestic Flight Crew, LAX-MIA, 2007

Strength girls