Marija Atanassowa

Marija Georgieva Atanassowa (also Maria Georgieva Atanasova; in Bulgarian Мария Георгиева Атанасовa; 1926 – 2000) was a Bulgarian pilot and politician.

[2] Atanassowa's first attempt to enter the aviation industry was when she enrolled for training at the military air school at Dolna Mitropolia Air Base.

Her application was declined on the grounds of her gender, however after some insistence and persuasion she and other women were admitted.

In 1952, she became a flight instructor, and then completed training as a fighter pilot.

[1] In 1967, she received the Hero of Socialist Labour title, and the Georgi Dimitrov medal.