She ran a successful flight school and served as the first woman president of the Virginia Aviation Trade Council.

Zillhardt née Woodrum was born on September 1, 1916, in Roanoke, Virginia.

She attended Gunston Hall School in Washington, D.C.[2] Zillhardt earned her private pilot, instructors and commercial ratings in 1940, becoming the first woman in Virginia to earn an instrument rating pilot's license.

In 1950 she won the 1st Beechcraft Bonanza trophy (pictured) in the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (Powder Puff Derby), finishing 18th overall.

[2] In 1960 she became president of the Virginia Aviation Trades Association, the first woman to hold that office.