Jean Ross Howard Phelan (1916–2004) was the founder of the Whirly Girls and the 13th woman in the world to earn her helicopter accreditation.

[1][5] She went to Connecticut College and then transferred to George Washington University, where she received a bachelor's degree in history in 1939.

[1] In 1955, she earned a master's degree in history from American University with her thesis on "Selected Economic Problems in the Operation of Common Carrier Helicopters.

[1] Phelan, after being inspired by Jackie Cochran, signed up but did not complete the Women's Airforce Service Pilots training.

[1][5] In 1955, she founded the Whirly-Girls International with the goal of building a community of support for women helicopter pilots.