The Legacy of Nancy Harkness Love

Soaring Through History

Nancy Harkness Love, a trailblazer in aviation, was born Hannah Lincoln Harkness on February 14, 1914, in Houghton, Michigan. From an early age, her adventurous spirit and passion for flying set her on a path that would forever change the role of women in aviation. At just 16, Nancy took her first flight and earned her pilot’s license within a month—a clear indication of her determination and skill.

Her journey into the skies continued while attending Vassar College, where she famously earned the nickname “The Flying Freshman.” Nancy not only transported passengers for income but also pushed boundaries in an era when women in aviation were rare. By 1932, she had obtained her commercial pilot’s license. She soon began working as a test pilot, helping to innovate aviation safety standards like tricycle landing gear.

Reaching New Heights

Nancy’s contributions reached new heights during World War II. Recognizing an opportunity for women pilots to support the war effort, she proposed the formation of a unit of female pilots to ferry aircraft from factories to airbases. Despite initial resistance, her vision became a reality with the creation of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in 1942, where she became the first female pilot of the Army Air Forces. Her leadership and advocacy led to the integration of female pilots into more challenging missions, including flying high-powered planes like the P-51 Mustang and B-17 Flying Fortress.

Although the WAFS later merged with Jackie Cochran’s Women’s Flying Training Detachment to form the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), Nancy’s impact remained profound. She commanded over 300 pilots. Nancy worked tirelessly to ensure women could serve their country with the same rigor and respect as their male counterparts. Her efforts paved the way for generations of female pilots. All while facing criticism and setbacks, including the eventual disbandment of the WASP in 1944.

Continued Advocacy

After the war, Nancy continued her advocacy, pushing for the recognition of WASP members as veterans. Her perseverance paid off posthumously in 1979, when the WASPs were finally granted service member status. Nancy herself received numerous honors during her lifetime including the Air Medal. She achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Nancy Harkness Love’s legacy is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers. Her fearless leadership and contributions to aviation not only helped win a war but also set a precedent for equality in the skies. Today, her impact is commemorated through numerous honors, statues, and the continued presence of female pilots in military and civilian aviation.

Nancy once said she wanted to make women in aviation “as commonplace as riding on a trolley car.” Thanks to her efforts, that dream has become a reality.

Nancy was included in our Women in History Series that we published in March 2024. Nancy was included in The Remarkable Legacy of Women Aviators in Northern Michigan.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.