Pilot and Owls Head Transportation Museum volunteer Nick Knobil will celebrate the extraordinary aviation achievements of his great aunt, Nancy Harkness Love, on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m., at the Cushing Public Library. This collaborative community event, co-sponsored by Cushing and Thomaston Public Libraries, is free and open to the public.

Nancy Harkness Love began her groundbreaking aviation career at an early age. She earned her private pilot’s license at age 16. By age 19, she had obtained her limited commercial and transport licenses. During the 1930s, she honed her skills by working as a test pilot and air racer.

Her greatest achievement came during World War II, when her proposal to organize a volunteer service of woman pilots was accepted by the U.S. Army Air Forces. Under her command, the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) flew almost every military aircraft in use at the time and delivered planes to the next place where they were needed. The WAFS demonstrated that women were equal to men as pilots, and just as passionate about serving and defending their country. Thanks to Nancy Harkness Love and others like her, a trail was blazed for women aviators.

For more information, email Wendy Roberts at wrobertsmaine63@gmail.com.