Born: April 7, 1921 (Manhattan, New York)
Died: March 12, 2021
Biography:
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 – March 12, 2021) was an American flight instructor and advocate for women’s and transgender rights. Her advocacy efforts played a significant role in changing government rules to allow transgender people to receive Social Security survivor benefits. Asti’s remarkable life and pioneering achievements have left an indelible mark on the aviation industry and the fight for equality.
Born on April 7, 1921, in Manhattan, New York, Asti was the child of David Astey, a featherweight boxer, and Helen (Jund) Astey, a homemaker. Assigned male at birth, it wasn’t until adulthood that Asti began to identify as female. Her father had anglicized their last name for his career, but Robina changed it back to the Italian spelling when she transitioned.
Growing up in Greenwich Village, Asti developed an early passion for electrical engineering. As a teenager, she utilized her skills by fixing radios for neighbors, earning a reputation as a proficient technician. She attended Brooklyn Technical High School but dropped out at the age of 17 to join the United States Navy.
Serving in the Navy during World War II, Asti was stationed on Wake Island, where she played an active role in installing radios in naval aircraft. As her skills developed, she became a pilot stationed at Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean. Flying reconnaissance PBY Catalina planes, she played a crucial part in detecting Japanese ships. Asti’s exceptional abilities led to her promotion as a test pilot.
After her honorable discharge from the Navy, Asti embarked on a career as a flight instructor. However, she briefly veered into the restaurant business, co-owning a supper club in White Plains, New York. Eventually deciding that the restaurant industry was not her true calling, Asti sold her share and shifted her focus back to aviation.
In pursuit of her passion, she took on a role at E.W. Axe, a mutual fund company. Asti’s dedication and talent propelled her to the position of mutual fund vice-president. However, with the intensifying desire to transition, Asti left her prominent job, recognizing that her gender identity might not be accepted in the workplace.
With unwavering determination, Asti entered the job market as a woman, initially working as a makeup artist at Bloomingdale’s. Her intention was to acquire skills in sewing and ironing clothes so she could become the woman she aspired to be. Although navigating the challenges of her transition, Asti never let obstacles deter her from her goals. She served as the chairperson of the Hudson Valley chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a women’s aviation organization, showcasing her leadership and commitment to the advancement of women in aviation.
In her personal life, Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958, and they welcomed four children into their lives. Tragically, one of their children passed away during childhood. With the unwavering support of her wife, Asti began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, following the birth of their youngest child. This was followed by sex reassignment surgery, allowing her to align her physical body with her true identity.
Asti and her wife amicably separated soon after her transition, leading her to return to New York City. It was there that she crossed paths with artist Norwood Patten, and they eventually married. Together, they embarked on a life filled with love, support, and shared creative endeavors.
Asti’s incredible journey wasn’t without its challenges, yet she remained steadfast in her pursuit of equality and acceptance. Her advocacy efforts played a pivotal role in changing government rules, enabling transgender individuals to receive Social Security survivor benefits. Asti’s unwavering determination, along with her notable accomplishments in aviation, have secured her legacy as a trailblazer in the fight for transgender rights.
Awards:
– July 2020: Guinness World Records for the oldest active pilot and active flight instructor