Marina Raskova

“History remembers those women who participated in battles. But all of these women were individuals, and they fought in men’s units. Such were conditions then. We are Soviet women, women of a free socialist nation. In our Constitution it is written that women have equal rights in all fields of activity. Today you took the military oath, you vowed to faithfully defend the homeland. So let’s vow once more, together, to stand to our last breath in defense of our beloved homeland. Study persistently, with perseverance! The examination will be given on the field of battle.” ​​​​​​​

~ Marina Raskova

In 1938, Marina Raskova made history by setting a world record for the longest flight. This flight, known as the “Flight of the Rodina, was a pivotal point in the Soviet Union’s history of women’s aviation” because it inspired young girls and women to want to learn to fly. Based on her abilities, Raskova was the first female navigator of the Soviet Air Force and the first woman to be “Hero of the Soviet Union,” the country’s highest honor. 

"Things may be bad, but so we're not so desperate that we're going to put little girls like you up in the skies. Go home and help your mother."
~ Soviet Official

When Marina Raskova heard of Operation Barbarossa, she broke political barriers when she petitioned Joseph Stalin for three all-women aviation units. Earlier attempts to allow women to join air combats were rejected by Stalin, but Raskova’s persistence paid off. On October 8, 1941, the Night Witches were established. This allowed women to gain more social equality. In May 1942, Raskova told her women  “...I believe that all of you will come back as heroes. Epics and songs will be composed about you. You will be glorified by future generations!” Raskova was a daring and demanding commander. She used her celebrity status to inspire women and break gender stereotypes to “fly for their Motherland when the time came to defend it." Raskova said, “You are the first to be enlisted in the armed forces. It depends on you whether they will keep enlisting women in the future. You must prove you can handle weapons no worse than men can.”