International Women Air Space Museum
During your next trip to Cleveland, check out the International Women's Air and Space Museum. Located in the terminal of Burke Lakefront Airport, the museum's mission is to preserve the history of women in aviation and space and to document their continuing contributions today as well as in the future. Visitors of all ages will enjoy learning about women who have made a difference in the advancement of aviation and space.
At the International Women's Air and Space Museum, guests will find fascinating collections including the Ruby Wine Sheldon Collection. Ruby pursued a career in aviation in her late 40's when she received her pilot's license. She was the first civilian man or woman to achieve an instrument instructor rating for helicopters. The collection contains items such as Ruby’s helmet set, an aviation handheld transceiver set, and a mini compass among others. Another fascinating collection is the Women Airforce Service Pilots Collection. The collection focuses on a group of women who served the United States as Women Airforce Pilots active from 1942 until 1944. These women collectively flew over 60 million miles in 77 different kinds of aircraft. There are items in the collection from women including Martha Blair, Mary Margaret Brown, and Rita Cason.
The International Women's Air and Space Museum hosts special events for guests to enjoy. One of the events, Wings of Women, takes place in October. The event is geared towards young women in late middle school and high school who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The students will have the opportunity to speak with several female mentors and participate in hands-on activities dealing with STEM fields to further their curiosity.
