Katherine Stinson, a native of Fort Payne, Alabama, was one of the earliest pioneers of aviation in the world. She was one of the first three women to venture into this new field, having been certified as a pilot in 1912. She was an active air show pilot and flight instructor prior to World War I, and instructed many of the American and Canadian Air Corps pilots in that conflict. She was founder and President of Stinson Aircraft Company. She taught her brother, Eddie Stinson (previously inducted into the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame), to fly. Stinson Field in San Antonio, Texas is named for her. Her activities focused international attention on San Antonio, contributing significantly to its development as a center of aviation.