MWAN Redwood Empire Unit 77

08/24/2026

Meet the last living female pilot of WWII: Nell Stevenson Bright!

At 105 years old, Nell Bright stands as a remarkable living witness to history and we were fortunate enough to interview Nell in 2017 at the annual WASP Homecoming event held at the WASP Museum in Sweetwater, TX. (Please double check correct name of the museum).

As a former member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), she was part of the pioneering unit of female aviators who flew military aircraft during World War II to support the war effort at home and help America achieve victory.

Nell’s love for flying began with an 8th-birthday biplane ride in 1929, leading her to buy a plane with nine men in 1941, earn her pilot's license, and join the WASP in 1943. Nell was one of the first women chosen to pilot B-25 bombers. During her service she flew almost every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Corps fleet. Based at Biggs Field in Texas and Mather Field in California, her service had a vital impact on training, testing, and the war effort during WWII.

Now living at Legacy Village in Sugarhouse, Utah, Nell turned 105 on June 20, making her the last surviving WASP. Sharp-minded and lively, she credits her longevity to "good genes". Nell Bright’s story serves as a vital bridge to this crucial chapter in aviation and military history.

Thank you for your service, and Happy birthday from us here at The Red Door Films!

Read the full article here: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/08/02/the-last-living-female-pilot-of-wwii/

Be a part of preserving this important and often forgotten history of our early female aviators by donating: bit.ly/WASPLegacyCampaign

Every little bit helps, and thank you for your support!

Follow to support and stay up to date on the first feature-length documentary about our long-forgotten WWII female aviators, Coming Home: Fight For A Legacy.

Women in Aviation International Women Make Movies Elevate Aviation National WASP WWII Museum The National WWII Museum The Ninety-Nines, Inc, International Organization of Women Pilots National Women's History Alliance Women Rock Wings Desert News

07/30/2026

It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Jeanne Gibson, our beloved Rosie the Riveter, has passed away today, July 29, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. With her passing, we don't simply mourn the loss of a beloved friend, we honor the life of an American hero whose courage, dedication, and unwavering spirit helped shape history, and will continue to inspire generations to come.🕊️🇺🇸

At just 18 years old, Jeanne left her home in Minnesota in the summer of 1944 and answered her nation's call, becoming a welder at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle. With determination and grit, she helped build destroyers that strengthened the Allied war effort during World War II. She later continued her service with the Army Transportation Corps in Juneau, Alaska, embodying the resilience and patriotism of the Greatest Generation.

Yet Jeanne's legacy extended far beyond the war. She earned her Ph.D., dedicated three decades to teaching, earned her private pilot license, and spent the rest of her life proving that courage, determination, and purpose know no age.

In 2024, Jeanne and her fellow Rosies were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of our nation's highest civilian honors, recognizing the extraordinary women whose sacrifices and determination helped secure victory during World War II.

To all of us at Pacific Historic Parks, Jeanne was far more than a Rosie, she was family. She traveled to Hawaiʻi time and again to share her remarkable story with visitors, inspire local students, and ensure that the sacrifices of the Home Front would never be forgotten. Her radiant smile, generous heart, and boundless enthusiasm touched every life she encountered.

She had a special gift for encouraging young girls, reminding them that no dream was too big and no obstacle too great. Through her words and her example, she inspired generations to believe in themselves and pursue lives of courage, service, and purpose.

Jeanne remained a tireless advocate for preserving the legacy of the Rosies, volunteering at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park on "Rosie Fridays" and ensuring the stories of the women who helped win the war would continue to inspire future generations.

In one of life's poignant moments, just days before her passing, Jeanne was celebrated with a Wall of Honor banner at the park she loved so dearly and recognized during a San Jose Earthquakes halftime ceremony honoring Bay Area heroes. It was a fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by selfless service, quiet strength, and extraordinary grace.

Though Jeanne has taken her final flight, her legacy will never fade. It lives on in every story she shared, every young person she inspired, every life she touched, and in the enduring example of courage she leaves behind.

Our hearts are with Jeanne's family, her fellow Rosies, and all who were blessed to know and love her.

Rest in peace, Jeanne Gibson.

Thank you for answering the call when your country needed you most. Thank you for showing generations what courage looks like. We will remember you always.

07/27/2026

07/25/2026

Women have blazed a trail of innovation and made military history. They have been fighting and sacrificing for this country much longer than you may think. | Read More. ⬇️

07/20/2026

“Rosie” turns 100!

Rosie the Riveter Jeanne Gibson, 100, was honored with a banner of her at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

Read more below

06/21/2026

The cancellation raises questions about how Pentagon anti-DEI policies apply to military recognition events.