Touria Chaoui

Touria Chaoui (Arabic: ثريا الشاوي; December 14, 1936, Fes, Morocco–March 1, 1956)[1] was the first Moroccan female pilot.[1]

Touria Chaoui
Born
ثريا الشاوي

December 14, 1936
DiedMarch 1, 1956
Known forAviator

Early life

Chaoui was born on 14 December 1936, to a Moroccan father, a theatre director named Abdelwahed Chaoui and a Moroccan mother, Zina.[2] She was one of two children, her brother Salah Chaoui is a renowned artist who resides in Vichy, France.[2] In 1948, Touria's family moved from Fes to Casablanca to start a new life.[2]

Career

Touria's father enrolled her into an aviation school based in Tit Mellil, Morocco in 1950.[2] The aviation school was reserved for the French forces occupying Morocco and little opportunity was presented to the native Moroccans, especially not women. Her enrollment was contested by the school and much was done to deter her from participating in the aviation program. As there was no legislation preventing her from enrolling, the school reluctantly accepted her application with hopes that she would soon give up.[2]

Despite this after a year of dedicated study and determination, Touria obtained her aviation licence at the young age of 15.[2]

Death
Funeral of Touria Chaoui

Touria Chaoui was killed on 1 March 1956 at the age of 19 whilst starting to fly her private plane. The murderers were not identified.[3]

References
  1. "Touria Chaoui - Morocco - Women Of Aviation's History". Women Of Aviation's History. 2015-07-25. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  2. "The Amazing Aviatrix of Wartime Casablanca". Narratively. 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  3. Bihmidine, Omar (2014-02-10). "Was the First Moroccan, Arab Woman Pilot Murdered by France?". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
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