Roberta Cowell, born in 1918, was a trailblazer for the transgender community in the UK, known for being the first to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Her life was filled with extraordinary achievements, including serving as a WWII fighter pilot and becoming a competitive racing driver. Despite her groundbreaking role in trans history and media attention in the 1950s, her legacy faded until reexamined posthumously in 2011. Cowell's journey is a remarkable testament to resilience and a pivotal point for future generations of trans individuals.
To fuel her love of racing, Cowell would sneak into the pits of the Brooklands race circuit, dressed in overalls to help the mechanics.
Yet, interest in her story faded over time, and Cowell's legacy was mostly forgotten until she died in 2011 and news outlets reminded the world about her incredible journey.
Collection
[
|
...
]