Beryl Markham

aviation · adventure · pioneer women · Kenya

First solo flight. Beryl Markham flew her small plane all by herself from England to North America without stopping, crossing the vast Atlantic Ocean in 1936. This made her the first person ever to make this dangerous journey alone in that direction.

Trained racing horses. Before she became a famous pilot, Markham trained thoroughbred racehorses in Kenya. She was one of the first women in Africa to work as a horse trainer, and she was really good at it.

Wrote her story. Markham wrote a beautiful memoir called 'West with the Night' that tells about all her incredible adventures flying, training horses, and living in Kenya. The book is still read and loved by people today.

Lived in Kenya. Markham spent most of her adult life in Kenya, where she became part of the adventurous community of people exploring and living in East Africa. She loved the African landscape and made it her home.

Bold and fearless. Markham wasn't afraid to try things that most people, especially women, never attempted. She raced airplanes, flew across oceans, and lived life on her own terms.