Museum of Chinese in America

Secondary Source: Looking Back at Hazel Ying Lee's Life & Legacy 

Watch a video about Hazel Ying Lee's life and legacy. Then, browse primary sources to uncover more about her experiences as an aviator and WASP pilot during World War II. 

The Remarkable Life & Legacy of Aviatrix Hazel Ying Lee

Use your close looking skills to investigate this photo of Hazel, her friend Virginia, and their flight instructor Al Greenwood. What can their clothes tell us about what the job of a pilot was like?

Hazel and Virginia's Pilot Gear

Learn about life at Avenger Field, where Maggie, Hazel, and other WASP pilots were trained.

A Day in the Life at Avenger Field 

Explore primary sources to learn about Maggie Gee, WASP pilot and physicist. 

Scientist in the Sky: Meet Maggie Gee!

Use this timeline to help understand when World War II happened and how it impacted the lives of Hazel Ying Lee and Maggie Gee. 

Timeline of World War II

Use your guesses and ideas from the hotspot "Hazel and Virginia's Pilot Gear" to learn more about what flying planes was like during World War II. This image shows pilot Maggie Gee standing on the wing of a biplane.

Pilots and Planes! 

Use this resource for more context about World War II and the Women's Airforce Service Pilots!

Background: World War II and the WASPs

Explore ways that communities honor and remember trailblazers like Maggie, Hazel, and the other WASP pilots. Use the questions on the slides to help you think about ways you've seen people honored, and ways that you might choose to memorialize someone you feel is important.

Remembering Maggie, Hazel, and the WASP

Explore the lives of Hazel Ying Lee and Maggie Gee, the only two Chinese American women to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Use videos and photos to learn about their experiences and how World War II impacted them and many other women in the United States. Find out more about women in military service during World War II and the long fight of WASP pilots to be honored for their impact.

Flying High with Hazel & Maggie: Chinese American Aviators in WWII

educator materials