Born: 1896 (Knockaderry, County Limerick, Ireland)
Died: 1939
Biography:
Mary, Lady Heath (17 November 1896 – 9 May 1939) was an Irish aviator and a prominent figure in the 1920s. She was born as Sophie Catherine Theresa Mary Peirce-Evans in Knockaderry, County Limerick, near the town of Newcastle West. Her early life was marked by tragedy when, at the age of one, her father John Peirce-Evans murdered her mother Kate Theresa Dooling. He was found guilty of murder but declared insane. Sophie was then taken to live with her grandfather in Newcastle West, County Limerick, where she was raised by her two maiden aunts. Despite their discouragement, she developed a passion for sports.
After completing her education at various schools including Rochelle School in Cork, Princess Garden Belfast, and St. Margaret’s Hall in Dublin, where she excelled in hockey and tennis, Sophie enrolled in the Royal College of Science for Ireland in Dublin. This college aimed to produce educated farmers for the country. Among the few women in the college, Sophie earned a top-class degree in science with a specialization in agriculture. She also played hockey for the college team and contributed to a student magazine, which can still be found in the National Library of Ireland.
After obtaining her degree, Sophie moved to Kenya with her first husband, William Elliot-Lynn. In 1925, she published a book of poetry titled East African Nights. She was actively involved in the Soroptimist organization and was a Founder Member of SI Greater London, which was chartered in 1923.
Before becoming an aviator, Lady Heath had already made her mark in different fields. During World War I, she served as a dispatch rider for two years in England and France. She even had her portrait painted by Sir John Lavery during her time in France. In London, she became one of the founding members of the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association under the name Sophie Mary Eliott-Lynn after her move from Ireland. She became Britain’s first women’s javelin champion and set a disputed world record for the high jump. Lady Heath also represented the United Kingdom at the 1923 Women’s Olympiad in Monte Carlo, where she achieved third place in the high jump, javelin throw, and women’s pentathlon. That same year, she participated in the first Women’s Amateur Athletic Association Championships. In 1924, Lady Heath won a silver medal in the long jump at the 1924 Women’s Olympiad, and in 1926, she represented the United Kingdom once again.
Lady Heath’s fame skyrocketed when she became an aviator. In 1925, she took her first flying lessons and soon became one of the best-known women pilots in the world. She gained a reputation for her daring solo flights and became a symbol of women’s growing independence and empowerment. In 1928, she became the first woman pilot to hold a commercial license in Britain. Lady Heath went on to break numerous aviation records, including being the first person to fly solo from Cape Town to London in 1928, covering over 9,000 miles in a record-breaking 31 days. She also set an altitude record for a light aircraft in 1931, reaching 18,000 feet. Her aviation achievements inspired countless women to pursue careers in aviation and showed the world that women were capable of just as much as men.
Despite her remarkable accomplishments, Lady Heath’s life was not without struggles. She faced financial difficulties, marital problems, and health issues throughout her career. Her determination and resilience allowed her to overcome these challenges and continue pushing the boundaries of what women could achieve.
Mary, Lady Heath played a crucial role in women’s history, particularly in the fields of sports and aviation. She shattered the gender norms of her time and inspired countless women to chase their dreams and pursue careers outside of traditional roles. Her legacy lives on as a trailblazer, a symbol of courage, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of women.
Awards:
– First woman to hold a commercial pilot’s license in Britain