Marina Raskova (1912–1943) was a Soviet aviator and navigator celebrated for her daring record-setting flights and for founding the Soviet Union’s first all-female air regiments during World War II. Known as the “Mother of the Night Witches,” she leveraged her fame and political influence to open combat roles for women in a deeply patriarchal society. Her leadership and sacrifice left a lasting legacy on the role of women in military aviation.
