Harriet Quimby (May 11, 1875 – July 1, 1912) was an early American aviator and a movie screenwriter.
In 1911, she was awarded a U.S. pilot's certificate by the Aero Club of America, becoming the first woman to gain a pilot's license in the United States. Although Quimby lived only to the age of 37, she influenced the role of women in aviation.
On April 16, 1912, Quimby took off from Dover, England, en route to Calais, France, and made the flight in 59 minutes, landing about 25 miles (40 km) from Calais on a beach in Équihen-Plage, Pas-de-Calais.
She became the first woman to pilot an aircraft across the English Channel. Her accomplishment received little media attention, however, as the sinking of the RMS Titanic the day before consumed the interest of the public and filled newspapers.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Quimby)