Перші жінки-льотчиці в історії Азербайджану

Abstract

This article examines the biographical trajectories and social significance of the first Azerbaijani female aviators—Leyla Mammadbeyova, Sona Nuriyeva, and Zuleikha Seyidmammadova—who emerged as transformative symbols of progress in the early 20th century. Breaking deeply ingrained cultural stereotypes in the East, these women became pioneers not only in Azerbaijan but also across the Caucasus and the broader Islamic world. The study details the career of Leyla Mammadbeyova, the first female pilot in the East and a skilled parachutist, who balanced raising six children with training over 4,000 paratroopers during World War II and performing aerial stunts for the cinema.Special attention is given to the military and professional achievements of Sona Nuriyeva, known for her special missions to Tehran and subsequent international flights, and Zuleikha Seyidmammadova, a distinguished military pilot and navigator. Seyidmammadova’s record of over 500 combat sorties and 40 air battles in a Yak-9 fighter during World War II, followed by her post-war service as a government minister, exemplifies a unique synthesis of valor and political leadership. The research analyzes how their achievements were reflected in literature and film, contributing to a lasting cultural shift. The author concludes that the legacy of these three pioneers provided the institutional and ideological framework for the integration of women into both civil and military aviation, cementing their roles as foundational figures in Azerbaijan's modern history.