Jerrie Mock

Jerrie Mock was a pioneering American aviator who became the first woman to fly solo around the world in 1964.

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28 worksheets · answer keys · full story · quiz · Ages 6-8 · CEFR A2

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The story

Jerrie Mock: The Girl Who Flew Around the World

Hello! My name is Jerrie Mock, and I want to tell you a story about my big adventure. When I was a little girl, born way back in 1925, I loved looking up at the sky. On my 7th birthday, I got to ride in a real airplane for the first time! Whoosh! As we flew over my town of Newark, Ohio, I looked down at the tiny houses and cars and knew right then and there that I wanted to be a pilot. That one ride sparked a giant dream inside me: to fly all around the world.

As I grew up, I got married and had kids, but I never forgot my dream. I decided it was time to make it happen! I found the perfect plane. It was a small, single-engine Cessna 180, and I painted it red and white. I named it 'The Spirit of Columbus,' but I gave it a secret nickname: 'Charlie.' Some people thought a mom couldn't fly around the world all by herself. They called me 'The Flying Housewife.' But I knew that being a mom made me strong and smart, and I was ready for anything. I planned my route, packed my maps, and got Charlie ready for the biggest trip of our lives.

On March 19th, 1964, I waved goodbye and took off from Columbus, Ohio. It was just me and Charlie, flying over huge, sparkly oceans and across sandy deserts. I saw amazing sights in countries all over the world. Sometimes the weather was stormy and a little scary, but I wasn't afraid. I just kept my hands on the controls and trusted Charlie to carry me through. After 29 days of adventure, on April 17th, 1964, I landed back in Ohio. Thousands of people were cheering! I had done it! I was the first woman to fly solo around the world. Even the President of the United States gave me a special medal.

My flight showed everyone that you can be a mom and a brave adventurer at the same time. I proved that women could achieve anything they set their minds to. I lived a long and wonderful life, full of happy memories, to be 88 years old. My trusty airplane, Charlie, is now in the National Air and Space Museum for everyone to see. I hope my story reminds you that no dream is too big if you have the courage to chase it across the sky.