Women in Kentucky - MILITARY

Willa Beatrice Brown Chappell  (Barren 1906-1992)
She was the first African American women to earn a civilian pilot’s license, in 
1937.  She was also the first African American officer in the Army Air Corps’ CivilAir Patrol. 
Follow this link to learn more about Willa Brown.

Lt. Anna Mac Clarke  (Anderson, 1919-1944)  
One of the first black Kentucky women to enlist during WWII.  She successfully desegregated an Arizona air base theatre and is buried in Lawrenceville.

Capt. Helen Horlacher Evans  (Fayette, b. 1920) 
One of 11 Kentucky women to join the first group of Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
(WAACs) sent overseas during WWII.  Recently, she worked with the Women in
Military Service for America Memorial Foundation to see that Kentucky women veterans are given proper recognition at the Women in Military Service Memorial in
Washington, D.C.

Major General Verna D. Fairchild  (Franklin, b. 1941) 
In 1993, Fairchild became the first female Assistant Adjutant General for Air in Air
National Guard history.  Prior to this honor she became the first nurse to command
an Air National Guard hospital in the US.

Julia Ann Marcum  (Casey, 1844-1936)  
The only woman recognized by the U.S. government as a combatant in the Civil
War.  She was the only woman admitted as a full member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was accorded military honors at her funeral.