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Memoir · World War II · Women’s History
Go Home, Little Fifinella:
I Was a Woman Pilot in 1945
Go Home, Little Fifinella: I Was a Woman Pilot in 1945 is the true, autobiographical account of Winnie LoPinto, a pioneering woman who became a trainee in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program during World War II. At a time when women were rarely allowed near the cockpit of a military aircraft, Winnie and her fellow WASPs broke barriers, flew dangerous missions, and quietly changed history—often without recognition or reward.
Set in Sweetwater, Texas, this memoir brings readers inside the little-known world of the WASP program, revealing both the exhilaration of flight and the realities the government never fully acknowledged. Written in the language and spirit of the 1940s, Winnie LoPinto’s storytelling is vivid, honest, and often humorous. Her experiences capture the adventure of youth, the pride of service, and the disappointment many women felt when their contributions were dismissed at war’s end.
For decades, this memoir was shared quietly—downloaded by thousands from LoPinto’s personal website, treasured by readers who knew her, and passed along by those moved to tears by her story. It stands as an essential piece of World War II history, aviation history, and women’s history, offering a rare first-person perspective on the lives of female pilots who served their country without official military status.This book also carries powerful lessons for today. While much progress has been made in fields once dominated by men—such as engineering, aviation, medicine, and law—gender inequality has not disappeared. Wage gaps, bias, and attempts to limit women’s opportunities persist. Understanding the struggles of women like Winnie LoPinto helps young women recognize how hard-fought these freedoms were—and why they must be protected.
When the editor of this book first met Winnie LoPinto, she had no idea she was sitting across from a trailblazing pilot. Like many women of her generation, Winnie lived quietly, her achievements largely forgotten. Yet these World War II pioneers tasted independence, responsibility, and professional respect—and when those freedoms were taken away after the war, their frustration helped fuel the women’s movement decades later.
Go Home, Little Fifinella is more than a memoir. It is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring fight for equality. It belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in women in aviation, World War II history, autobiographical nonfiction, and stories of empowerment that continue to inspire new generations.
Keywords:
Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, women pilots WWII, women in aviation history, World War II memoir, female aviators, historical nonfiction, women’s empowerment, gender equality, aviation history, autobiography, Sweetwater Texas WASP, inspiring true stories