The history of Iran is filled with remarkable women who broke barriers, challenged restrictive traditions, and defied the odds to claim their rightful place in society. Among these trailblazers were the first women pilots in Iran—brave, determined, and unwilling to accept the limits imposed upon them.
In an era when aviation was considered an exclusively male profession, these women dared to dream differently. They stepped into cockpits at a time when many believed women had no place in the skies, proving that courage and ambition could shatter even the strongest taboos.
The Birth of Women’s Aviation in Iran
The turning point came on November 7, 1939, when a commercial announcement appeared in Iranian daily newspapers inviting applicants to register for pilot training courses. The call drew 630 aspiring pilots—mostly men, but also a small group of determined women.
Out of these applicants, 22 women enrolled in the first semester of the Iranian Flying Club. After a rigorous selection process, three women earned their place in the program: Effat Tejaratchi, Ina Avshid, and Sediqeh Dowlatshahi.
They began their training at Doshan Tappeh Air Base with full pilot gear—flight suits, jackets, helmets, goggles, parachutes, and wireless radios—ready to prove that women, too, could command the skies.
Effat Tejaratchi – The First Iranian Woman Pilot
Effat Tejaratchi began her aviation journey on September 28, 1939, making her first solo flight on November 18, 1940. The flight lasted 15 minutes, during which she circled the airport and landed successfully.
Although she was still mastering aerial maneuvers like diving and aerobatics, her training was cut short when the Flying Club closed in September 1941 due to political unrest.
Beyond aviation, Tejaratchi was also a poet. She published a poetry collection in 1958 and continued to inspire through her words. She passed away in 1999 at the age of 82 and was laid to rest at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery in Tehran.
Ina Avshid – The First Female Co-Pilot in Iran
After six months of theoretical training, Ina Avshid took her first training flight at Doshan Tappeh Airport. However, with the outbreak of World War II, the Flying Club shut down, halting her progress.
When the club reopened in April 1942, she resumed training and, on September 19, 1943, graduated alongside 21 other students, earning her pilot’s license.
In 1946, Avshid made history as the first Iranian woman hired by the Airways Company, co-piloting a DC-3 aircraft. Though she later left the profession for undisclosed reasons, her achievement marked a milestone in Iranian aviation history.
Sediqeh Dowlatshahi – A Fearless Trailblazer
Like her peers, Sediqeh Dowlatshahi defied societal expectations to earn her pilot’s license. She flew passenger aircraft, demonstrating that skill and determination know no gender.
Her courage, alongside Tejaratchi and Avshid, paved the way for future generations of Iranian women to pursue careers in aviation.
Honoring Iran’s Aviation Pioneers
Effat Tejaratchi, Ina Avshid, and Sediqeh Dowlatshahi were more than pilots—they were symbols of empowerment in a time when women’s opportunities were severely limited. By taking to the skies, they proved that ambition and resilience can rise above any obstacle.
These first women pilots in Iran remain an inspiration for all women who dream of challenging norms and reaching new heights.
