World War II veteran Margaret “Maggie” Gee will be inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Gee was a physicist and pilot, who trained male pilots and co-piloted airplanes during mock air fights.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced a list of seven inductees in the 16th Class of the California Hall of Fame on Monday, August 14.
“We are thrilled to announce the newest class of inductees joining some of our state’s most revolutionary, innovative, and brightest in the California Hall of Fame,” Gov. Newsom said in a press release. “The outstanding legacy of this group has and will continue to embody what it means to be a Californian. There is no doubt their legacies will continue to live on and inspire millions across our state for generations to come.”
Gee was born Gee Mei Gue on August 5, 1923, in Berkeley, California. According to the National Museum of the United States Army, Gee grew up admiring Amelia Earhart. She enjoyed her family’s trips to the Oakland Airport.
In 1941, Gee left college to work in ship production at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. She saved her own money to pay for flying lessons and earned her pilot license in just six months.
According to the National Museum of the United States Army, Gee applied to for the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training program. She was only one of two Chinese Americans accepted.
After the war, the WASPs service was disbanded. Gee went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s in Science and a Master’s in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley.
Gee was awarded Congressional Gold Medal by President Barack Obama. She passed away in 2010.
The induction ceremony for the 16th Class of the California Hall of Fame will be held virtually on Tuesday, August 22, at 6:00 p.m.
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We need an airport named after this pioneer and hero; OAK should be renamed!