Lotfia ElNadi
| Latifa El Nadi | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | October 29, 1907 Cairo, Khedivate of Egypt |
| Died | 2002 (aged 94–95) Cairo, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Occupation | Aviator |
| Known for | One of the first female pilots in the world and the first Egyptian woman to fly a plane from Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt. |
Latifa Elnadi (Arabic: لطفية النادي; October 29, 1907 – 2002) was an Egyptian aviator. She was the first African woman as well as the first Middle Eastern woman to earn a pilot's license.
Latifa Elnadi was born on 29 October 1907 into middle-class family of Cairo. After completion of her primary education, it was expected that she would marry, becoming a housewife and mother. Her father, who worked for the government printing office, Matbaa Amiriya, saw no reason for ElNadi to pursue secondary education. Her mother encouraged her to attend the American College with its modern curriculum and focus as a language school.
Elnadi read an article about a flying school which had just opened in Cairo and determined that she would attend, despite her father's objections. Initially she approached a journalist to assist her, but when he refused, she went directly to the director of EgyptAir, Kamal Elwi, asking for assistance. He saw the potential for publicity and agreed to help. As Elnadi had no way to pay for the flying lessons, she worked as the secretary and telephone operator for the flying school in exchange for her tuition.
Telling her father that she was attending a bi-weekly study group, Elnadi instead took flight lessons, along with 33 other male classmates. When Elnadi earned her pilot’s licence, on 27 September 1933, she became the first African as well as Arab woman pilot in the world, after only 67 days of study. Initially her father was angry, but seeing the favorable press Elnadi received, his anger dissipated and he allowed her to take him on a flight over the pyramids. Her achievement made headlines throughout the world.
On 19 December 1933, Elnadi flew in the international race between Cairo and Alexandria. Flying at speeds averaging 100 miles per hour, she steered her single-engine plane to the finish-line before any of the other competitors. As she missed flying over one of the two tents located at midpoint of the course, which was required as part of the competition, Elnadi was not declared the winner. She received a consolation prize of 200 Egyptian pounds and the congratulations of King Fuad for her attempt. Huda Sha'arawi, a feminist leader, also sent salutations for the inspiration Elnadi provided and then held a fundraising drive to buy Elnadi a plane of her own. Elnadi worked as the secretary general of the Egyptian Aviation Club and flew for about five years before she was injured in an accident which damaged her spine.
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