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Valentina Grizodubova
http://womenshistory.about.com

On October 28, 1937, Valentina Grizodubova (January 18, 1910 - April 28, 1993) flew non-stop with Marina Raskova on an AIR-12 for a world record for women's long distance non-stop flight.

On September 24-25, 1938, Grizodubova with Marina Raskova and Paulina Ossipenko set another world record with their a non-stop flight of 5,900 km from Moscow to Siberia in an ANT-37.

During World War II, Grizodubova commanded a bomber squadron. She also served as Chairman of the Women's Anti-Fascist Committee. She was awarded the Soviet Hero star, Soviet Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of Lenin, and wore the medal of a member of the Supreme Soviet.

Note: because Russia did not adapt from the old-style to the new-style calendar until after Grizodubova's birth, her birthdate is sometimes listed as January 31.

An inspiration in her time and later, Grizodubova appears on a stamp of the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, the 1937 world record flight inspired a re-creation by two American women.

Valentina Grizodubova with her flying school students and staff, 1933

Moolman, Valerie, Women Aloft, Time Life, 1981

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On October 28, 1937, Valentina Grizodubova (January 18*, 1910 - April 28, 1993) flew non-stop with Marina Raskova on an AIR-12 for a world record for women's long distance non-stop flight. On September 24-25, 1938, Grizodubova with Raskova and with Paulina Ossipenko set another world record with their a non-stop flight of 5,900 km from Moscow to Siberia in an ANT-37.

During World War II, Grizodubova commanded a bomber squadron. She also served as Chairman of the Women's Anti-Fascist Committee. She was awarded the Soviet Hero star, Soviet Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of Lenin, and wore the medal of a member of the Supreme Soviet. An inspiration in her time and later, Grizodubova appears on a stamp of the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, the 1937 world record flight inspired a re-creation by two American women.

* Because Russia did not adapt from the old-style to the new-style calendar until after Grizodubova's birth, her birthdate is sometimes listed as January 31.