Famous Female Skydivers

Countless brave men and women have explored the art and science of human flight for more than a century – although far more men than women. As documented by the United States Parachute Association’s Sisters in Skydiving data, females make up just 13% of the skydiver population. 

Despite this disproportionate gender distribution, famous female skydivers are certainly not hard to come by. In fact, some of the most groundbreaking developments in skydiving history can be attributed to women. Girl power! 

Let’s take a look at some of the honorable women who have and continue to make a significant impact on our sport.

Katharina “Kathe” Paulus

Katharina “Kathe” Paulus made it easier for all of us to enjoy the sport of skydiving. In 1915, she invented an ingenious way to pack a parachute into a container, in which the parachute was carefully folded with the carrying lines fastened to the cloth. Without this invention, skydiving would not be what it is today! She was more than just an inventor, Paulus also accrued over 165 parachute jumps throughout her lifetime.

Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick

While her name suggests otherwise, Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick made a HUGE contribution to skydiving. In fact, she was the very first person to deploy a parachute manually – marking the first actual skydive (not static line) from an airplane!

Broadwick was a North Carolina native (just like us!), who made her first jump from a hot air balloon during the 1908 North Carolina State Fair. In 1912, she earned her fame by being the first female to parachute from a plane. Just two years later, during a demonstration for the U.S. Army – to showcase parachuting as an effective method for pilots to escape a falling aircraft – Broadwick’s static line became entangled. In order to free herself, she cut the line and deployed her parachute manually. Talk about a pioneer!

Deanna “Skydancer” Kent

Deanna Kent is most famous for being known as the “Skydancer.” She introduced what we know as freeflying or freestyle today. Before Kent, the only freefall positions were belly or a style tuck. Her passion and ability to think outside of the box paved the way for other disciplines like freeflying, angle flying, and even skysurfing. Kent showed us that anything is possible when your mind is open to creativity in human flight. 

As the first wife of famous skydiving videographer Norman Kent, Deanna was featured in several of his movies, including From Wings Came Flight, Willing To Fly, Skydancer, and Freefall. She also performed stunt work in films/TV programs like Terminal Velocity and Bay Watch, and was featured in National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and countless other publications. Deanna continues to remind us to be unique and to go against the grain – you might just discover something new that brings you and others great joy for years to come.

Kim Knorr

In 1959, Kim Knorr forged her parents’ signatures so she could make her first skydive after being inspired at the young age of five years old when her uncle brought home a military parachute from World War II – and we’re glad she did! She was one of only two women to compete against the men at the 1961 Team Tryouts at Fort Bragg in North Carolina (known as Fort Liberty now). Just a year later, she made history as a member of the first United States Women’s Parachute Team. This team ended up winning gold at the Sixth World Parachuting Championships. Knorr spent her days traveling all over the world skydiving wherever she could. Actually, at the age of 85, Knorr is still traveling across the country doing tandem jumps. Her goal is to reach 1,000 jumps to earn her gold wings. Go Kim, go!

Cheryl Stearns

Cheryl Stearns is arguably one of the most accomplished skydivers in history. Stearns started jumping at the age of 17 years old. Since then, she’s accomplished 33 National Championships; earned 30 World Records; made over 22,000 jumps (the most of any woman in the world); and achieved the most jumps by a woman in 24 hours at 352 jumps. Stearns is also the first female member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights and holds an incredible record as a pilot with over 23,000 flying hours on over 75 different types of aircraft. She says being what “society doesn’t want her to be” is what inspires her.

Amy Chmelecki

Amy Chmelecki is a professional skydiver that has made significant contributions to the sport through her dedication, talent, and leadership. She began skydiving at 18 years old and knew skydiving would be a major focus of her life. She was an instrumental part of developing the Vertical Formation Skydiving (VFS) discipline, being a part of demo jumps, and setting freefly records. She has 19 ratified World Records as organizer in most of the jumps. Chmelecki is the first female member of the Red Bull Air Force and has been in several movies and commercials. She is a multiple National Champion in VFS and freestyle on skydiving teams Resident Eloy and Arizona Arsenal. Chmelecki is co-captain of the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team, an all-female skydiving demonstration team whose mission is to inspire women and girls to live bold, brave lives of their own design.

Eliana Rodriguez

Eliana Rodriguez is a famous figure in the skydiving world, known for her remarkable kindness, humility, and being one of the most successful competitors in the history of the sport. She has 13 gold medals at international skydiving championships, 21 National titles, and has played a role in 10 World Records. Rodriguez is the only woman to be on Arizona Airspeed in over 25 years, is the first woman to win an 8-way medal at a World Championship, and has more US National golds than any other female. Her 28-year career and 16,000 jumps earned her an induction into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2022. Rodriguez is also a part of the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team.

Melissa Nelson

Melissa Nelson made her first tandem skydive in 1982 at the age of five, becoming a third-generation skydiver. With over 12,000 jumps, she is an accomplished AFF instructor, participated in 26 World Records, Highlight Pro Skydiving Team Member, USPA National Director, and a three-time National Freestyle Champion with 23 world records. Nelson has organized Women’s Vertical World Records with Project 19 and various skydiving events worldwide. She is also co-creator of VFS, has co-owned Skydive Chicago, been a TEDxSpeaker and published three books known as the “Sugar Alpha Chronicles.”

Jeannie Bartholomew

Roberta Mancino

Italian Roberta Mancino is a highly-accomplished skydiver, BASE jumper, wingsuit flyer, and model who is known for her daring feats in extreme sports and modeling high fashion whilst in freefall. She has completed over 12,500 skydives and numerous BASE jumps, including stunts involving flying over active volcanoes and through narrow mountain passes. Mancino has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Female Skydiver by the Italian Skydiving Federation. She has appeared in several magazines and documentaries showcasing her passion for modeling while skydiving. Her adventurous spirit and achievements have made her a prominent figure in the world of skydiving.

Women are celebrated within the sport through Sisters in Skydiving (SIS), Women Skydiving Network (WSN), Project 19, the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team, and more!

Each of these phenomenal women, and all of the other amazing women within our sport, started from just one jump. Maybe the next famous female skydiver is you! Book your skydive with Skydive Paraclete XP today! Blue skies.

*featured image courtesy of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum