Jean Haley Harper, North Dakota - Upsilon, Woman of the Year 1998

Jean Haley Harper, North Dakota - Upsilon, Woman of the Year 1998

Flying the friendly skies was a dream come true for Jean Haley Harper, one of the first three women pilots hired by United Airlines. At the time Jean entered her profession, women were barred from serving as commercial airline pilots. After meeting all the requirements to qualify as an airline pilot, a process which, for her, took 12 years, she joined a small group of women flying commercial jets in the United States in the 1970s. Because of the difficulties and lack of support she encountered as a young woman, she has never missed an opportunity to encourage others, especially females, to pursue their dreams. She holds membership in the Airline Pilots Association, Women in Aviation International and is a charter member and past president of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. Jean is a many-faceted person, skilled as a artist, a trainer for United and the Girl Scouts, and an author. She has been featured in "Chicken Soup for a Woman's Soul."