The Pat Kenny Show Mary, Lady Heath the first true female trailblazer in aviation
Nov 20, 2025
Cameron Hill, a sports journalist and contributor from Off The Ball, delves into the incredible life of Mary, Lady Heath, the pioneering female aviator. Hill recounts Heath's traumatic childhood in Limerick and her remarkable achievements in sports. She excelled as an athlete and advocate for women's sports, all while facing sexism in aviation. Hear about her groundbreaking solo flight from South Africa and the tragic decline that followed. Hill also reveals how Heath inspired Amelia Earhart, spotlighting her as a true trailblazer often overlooked in history.
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Traumatic Early Life And Wartime Service
- Sophie Pierce Evans (later Mary, Lady Heath) witnessed her mother’s murder as an infant and was raised by her grandparents.
- She later studied at the Royal College of Science for Ireland and joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps in WWI.
Athlete Before Aviator
- Mary Heath excelled in athletics and represented Britain at the 1922 Women's World Games.
- She shattered expectations by competing in high jump, javelin and shot put at an elite level.
Championing Women's Sporting Independence
- Heath advocated for independent women's athletics and helped found the WAAA.
- She resisted Olympic control to protect women's sporting rights and visibility.