At 106, Nancy Miller Stratford—the last surviving female pilot of Britain’s WWII Air Transport Auxiliary—embodies an era of courage, skill, and gender defiance that forever changed military aviation.
At a Glance
- Nancy Stratford, 106, is the last living female pilot from Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary
- She broke off an engagement to fly for the war effort during WWII
- “Attagirls” flew fighters and bombers without radios or defensive weapons
- ATA was one of the first British organizations to implement equal pay for women
- Stratford’s story continues to inspire women in aviation and beyond
Breaking Barriers in Britain’s Skies
When WWII began, societal norms largely confined women to traditional roles. But for Nancy Stratford—then a young Californian pilot—that wasn’t enough. When her fiancé forbade her from joining the war effort, she ended the relationship and joined Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), ferrying military aircraft across Britain to free up combat pilots for front-line duty.
According to The Guardian, Stratford’s path reflects a generation of women who risked careers, relationships, and even their lives to serve. Her assignment to ATA put her among the legendary “Attagirls,” a civilian group that flew a range of aircraft—fighters, bombers, transports—across war zones.
Flying Into Danger
The ATA’s missions were no small feat. Pilots often had little training on specific aircraft models. They flew without radios, often in dangerous weather, across a landscape altered by war. The planes lacked armament, leaving them defenseless against German fighters.
As iAsk.ca reports, Stratford completed dozens of such missions, navigating only with basic maps and grit. Her work helped sustain Britain’s air defense and proved women could master the most demanding aviation roles.
Watch a report: Nancy Stratford at 106—Last of the “Attagirls”.
A Legacy of Equality
The “Attagirls” faced deep skepticism at first. Paid less than their male counterparts, they had to prove their worth with every flight. But by 1943, their professionalism forced change: ATA became one of the first British agencies to implement equal pay for equal work—years ahead of other sectors.
Nancy Stratford’s defiance of gender norms paved the way for future generations. Her story reminds us that progress often requires both personal courage and a willingness to confront entrenched bias.
Why This History Still Matters
Today, Stratford’s legacy resonates beyond the history books. Her example has inspired countless women to pursue careers in military and commercial aviation—fields still shaped by those wartime breakthroughs.
Her 106th birthday drew tributes from across the aviation world and renewed recognition for the “Attagirls” whose quiet heroism helped reshape both gender roles and aviation itself. As society continues to confront barriers to equality, stories like Stratford’s remind us that one determined individual can still challenge—and change—the world.
