Women in Aviation Wall of Fame:
Lady Heath

Born Sophie Pierce-Evans in Limerick in 1896, Lady Heath achieved fame as the first person—woman or man—to fly solo from South Africa to London, a remarkable journey that she accomplished in an open-air cockpit. The 10,000-mile flight was fraught with challenges, including 100-degree heat that caused heatstroke, a crash in Zimbabwe, and even false reports of her death. Defying immense odds, this extraordinary Irishwoman rose to become one of the most celebrated female aviators of all time.

Toronto has a long history of connection with Ireland. Just outside the airport’s mainland pavilion, Ireland Park commemorates the Irish Famine migrants who arrived on Toronto’s shores between 1846 and 1849. We include Lady Heath in homage to our Irish neighbours, the Canada Ireland Foundation and to the work it is undertaking to redevelop the Corleck Building near the airport.