In 1919 it was announced that Mrs. Eicher in Kentucky became the first woman to gain a river pilot license. It happened after her husband died. She felt that no other person could take on the work of her late person other than herself.
Kentucky Woman is River Pilot
Mrs. William Eicher is the first licensed woman pilot in Kentucky.
When her husband died, Mrs. Eicher did not feel that she could hire a skilled pilot to take her husband’s place on their steamer which was used to haul coal from their little mine, and so she applied for a license and won it.
She now runs the boat herself, having gained her knowledge by working with her husband.
Source: Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]), 22 May 1919.
