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Hall of Honor Class of 2010

Aviatrix, Kalamazoo Area Philanthropist

Since becoming a pilot in 1942, Sue Parish continues to pursue her lifelong passion for flying. An early member of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) and an inspiration to pilots of all ages and gender for several decades, Sue was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by Act of US Congress in spring 2010 for her service as a WASP in WWII. In her illustrious career, Sue co-owned Kal-Aero and later co-founded the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. She flew her signature pink P-40 Warhawk aircraft for more than a decade and performed routinely in air shows throughout the United States. The first woman inducted into the Experimental Aircraft Association Warbird Hall of Fame, Sue is also an inductee of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. A longtime supporter of the WMU College of Aviation, Sue’s turboprop 425 Conquest flew many WMU presidents to destinations far and wide. The college has benefited greatly from her philanthropic support as well as the inspiration she provides to aviators of all ages.