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This Happened

This Happened - March 8: Raymonde Laroche, First Woman Pilot

Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to earn a pilot's license on this day in 1910.


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Where was Raymonde de Laroche from?

Raymonde de Laroche was born in Paris, France, in 1882. She first was a professional balloonist and had already set several records in that field before turning to airplane aviation.

How did Raymonde de Laroche become interested in aviation?

Raymonde de Laroche became interested in aviation after attending an air show in 1908, where she met some of the early pioneers of aviation, including Wilbur Wright.

What other aviation records did Raymonde de Laroche set?

In addition to being the first woman to receive a pilot's license, Raymonde de Laroche set several other aviation records, including becoming the first woman to fly solo in 1909 and setting a women's altitude record in 1919. Her achievement paved the way for other women to enter the field of aviation and inspired many young women to pursue careers in science and technology. Her pioneering work in aviation helped break down gender barriers and opened up new opportunities for women in a male-dominated field.

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food / travel

Butter Beware, Olive Oil Is Conquering French Kitchens

Spanish, Italian, Greek, Provençal: in the land of butter and cream, olive oil is all the rage! Buoyed by the wave of the Mediterranean diet, demand has soared in recent years. But production is threatened by drought in Spain, the world's leading producer.

Man holding a clear glass bottle of olive oil.

Someone pouring olive oil in a plate.

Peter Fazekas via Pexels
Laurent Guez

PARIS — It's more than just a fat. Nor even a seasoning or condiment. For its growing number of aficionados, olive oil is an object of desire, if not of worship.

"It's all anyone around me ever talks about," laughs Emmanuelle Dechelette, a former public relations professional turned olive oil sommelier. "My friends, my husband's friends, everyone consults me or asks me if I can find them this or that particular cuvée. Sometimes I feel like a 'drug dealer.'"

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After completing a diploma course in New York, in 2016 Emmanuelle created an international competition, Olio Nuovo Days , which has gradually established itself as one of the benchmarks. Producers flock from all over the world to take part, from France, Spain, Sicily, Greece, Tunisia and Lebanon, as well as Japan, Chile, Brazil and South Africa.

"Right now, without my oil La Couvée, produced in Slovenia and 2023 champion for the Northern Hemisphere, I feel like I couldn't live," says the sommelier, who likes to savor this juice simply, on a toasted baguette, a fine tomato or with fresh goat's cheese. For her, if a dish isn't flavored with olive oil, it's missing something. The elegant Dechellette consumes it without moderation: "When you say olive oil, you mean olive, not oil. It's a fruit, so it's not fatty!”

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