Our Approach
LadiesofSkydiving.com’s goal is to provide a classy and comprehensive resource detailing the histories, biographies, photos and accomplishments of women in the sport of skydiving/parachuting.
Our Story
This website is devoted to the stories of women jumping under canopies, beginning with Jeanne-Genevieve Garnerin, who first leaped from her husband’s balloon in 1799, and her niece Elisa, who completed 39 parachute descents between 1815 and 1836. The history of women using parachutes continues today, with names like Roberta Mancino and Kate Cooper-Jensen. Skydiving’s early years had only a handful of female participants. Today, tens of thousand of jumps are made annually by ladies who are as beautiful as they are bold.
Meet the Team
LadiesofSkydiving.com is a collaborative, non-commercial effort which requires vast amounts of research, fact-checking and editing to compose an accurate historical record. Our team, which volunteer their efforts, are dedicated to preserving the history of women skydivers and their contributions to the world of parachuting.
Bob Lewis
Web Admin & Founder
Bob, shown here with Col. Joe Kittinger, is a writer and skydiving historian. His projects include “Tiny Broadwick-First Lady of Parachuting-A Presentation”, available on YouTube.
Kim Emmons Knor
Contributor & Advisor
Kim made history as a member of the first U.S. Women’s Parachute Team, which took gold at the Sixth World Championships. She was inducted into the Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2013. Kim continues to inspire jumpers and is currently working on a book detailing her late husband Milan’s escape from communist Yugoslavia during the final day of the 1962 championships.
Jan Works
Editor
Jan, shown here with her husband Pat, is a skydiver, author and media expert. Jan and Pat were awarded the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame’s Trustees’ Award in 2016. Her many projects and books include Parachuting: United We Fall. Pat Works was inducted (posthumously) into the Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2017.
Add to the Collection
Do you know of a woman skydiver who is not included, and would you like to submit your choice? Do you have photos or stories to add or corrections to make in existing stories? Click on the button “Submit Your Choice” and contribute to the archive.