Hazel Ying Lee was a fearless pilot and a true aviation pioneer — the first Asian American to fly with the Women Airforce Service Pilots. But for decades, her remarkable story was left untold, until now. In this episode, author Susan Tate Ankeny tells us how she uncovers Hazel's legacy in her book, American Fly Girl. Through rich research, Susan brings Hazel's courage, wit, and determination back into the spotlight — where it belongs. This conversation is a tribute to hidden heroes and the storytellers who make sure we don't forget them. This conversion captures *Hazel's fearless entry into aviation during a time of extreme racial and gender barriers *Susan's journey researching and writing American Fly Girl *The emotional impact of giving a voice to overlooked heroes, including her father's own WWII legacy *Why stories like Hazel's still matter — and what we can learn from them today About Susan Tate Ankeny Susan Tate Ankeny is the author of American Fly Girl and The Girl and the Bombardier, powerful narratives that uncover the lives of unsung World War II heroes. The daughter of a bombardier who was shot down over France in 1944, Susan grew up immersed in stories of aviation, survival, and resilience. Her father's passion for flight became her own, leading her to join several World War II aviation historical societies and dedicate herself to preserving these vital histories. Through meticulous research, heartfelt storytelling, and a deep reverence for those who came before, Susan brings history to life—one remarkable story at a time. You can learn more about Susan and her work at https://susantateankeny.com . Her books are available wherever stories take flight. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I'd love to hear it! Exploring space one story at a time just isn't enough? Same here. That's why I created Extra Space, a newsletter on LinkedIn with even more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and human stories from the edge of exploration. Check it out here: h ttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7326279375165837312/ Send your story to space, or to the sea with MISSION 05 at https://www.storiesofspace.com/ Join us in-between our episodes of Casual Space on the socials, LinkedIn - @casualspacepodcast Facebook - @casualspacepodcast Instagram - @casualspacepodcast YouTube - @casualspacepodcast83 And finally, if you know of a great guest, topic or event you would like to hear featured on an episode of Casual Space, send me an email at
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