Mary Helen Burke’s journey from working with early computers to soaring through the skies as a pioneering female aviator showcases her adventurous spirit and determination. Her contributions to aviation and her recognition as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) highlight her remarkable legacy.
Mary Helen Burke graduated from Sand Springs High School in 1932 and began her career working for Kerr Glass in Sand Springs and later at Stanolind Oil in Tulsa. At Stanolind, she operated a room-sized computer using IBM punch cards, a testament to her technical skills and adaptability.
Mary Helen’s passion for flying was sparked by listening to the 10:30 PM American Airlines flight from Tulsa to Oklahoma City pass over her house every night. She began taking flying lessons at Harvey Young Airport and, inspired by the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, applied and was accepted. After graduating from the WASP program, she was assigned to fly navigators on training missions out of Hondo Field in Texas, conducting both day and night flights over land and sea.
When the WASPs were deactivated in 1945, Mary Helen moved to California, where she owned and operated an instrument flight school for several years. She participated in several cross-country women’s races, including the Powder Puff Derby and the Sky Lady Derby, which she won. Flying remained a significant part of her life, and she continued working in aviation in both Dallas and Houston.
In recognition of their service, Congress passed a bill nearly 40 years later that officially recognized the WASPs as part of the military. Mary Helen returned to Sand Springs, where she owned a bookkeeping service and continued flying at every opportunity, often out of the old Sims Airport at Shell Creek. Her dedication to aviation and her pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on the history of female aviators.