Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt

Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt (1916 -2002) was an American aviator. She ran a successful flight school and served as the first woman president Virginia Aviation Trade Council.

Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt
Born
Martha Anne Woodrum

(1916-09-01)September 1, 1916
Roanoke, Virginia
DiedMay 2, 2002(2002-05-02) (aged 85)
Roanoke, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
Occupationaviator
Spouse(s)Jack Zillhardt

Biography

Zillhardt née Woodrum was born on September 1, 1916, in Roanoke, Virginia.[1] Se was the daughter of Clifton A. Woodrum, Sr. Martha Hancock Woodrum and Clifton A. Woodrum a United States Representative. She attended Gunston Hall School in Washington, D.C.[2]

Zillhardt earned her private pilot, instructors and commercial ratings in 1940, becoming the became the first woman in Virginia to earn an instrument rating pilot's license.[3][4] she went on to operate the Woodrum Flying Service flight school and charter service. In 1949 she organized the Roanoke Jaycees All State Air Show. In 1950 she was a winner of the Ninety Nine Transcontinental Air Race (Powder Puff Derby).[2]

In 1953 she married Jack Zillhardt.[2] In 1960 she became president of the Virginia Aviation Trades Association, the first woman to hold that office.[3][1] In 1985 Zillhardt was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.[2] She died on May 2, 2002, in Roanoke.[1]

In 2018 the Virginia Capitol Foundation announced that Zillhardt's name would be included on the Virginia Women's Monument's glass Wall of Honor.[5]

References
  1. "Martha Anne Woodrum In Her Office". Historical Society of Western Virginia. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  2. "Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt Obituary". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  3. Frank, John (May 24, 2002). "Zillhardt Dared to Touch the Sky". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  4. "Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt" (PDF). Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  5. "Wall of Honor". Virginia Womens Monument Commission. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
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