They say that we should “let our dreams fly us to the stars” but for one Gans resident, Cynthia Smith, this dream became literal.

Born and raised in Sequoyah County, Smith’s early years were shaped by a fervent desire to soar through the skies as a pilot.

“My uncle was a commercial pilot, and I remember thinking how thrilling it would be to fly one of those big jets,” she says.

However, the at-titudes of the 1960s deemed aviation a maledominated field, closing doors for women aspiring to take flight.

“Pan Am was interviewing people who showed aptitude in flying, but who needed their license,” she says. “I was the only woman in a group of 10, and I was the only person not chosen to be hired.”

Smith remembers receiving a denial letter from Pan Am that stated she was highly qualified, but they were not hiring her because of her gender.

“The man who interviewed me went on and on about how smart he was and would one day work in engineering,” she says, “but he told me I never would because of my gender.”

Undeterred by societal constraints, she refused to let her dreams be grounded. Instead, she charted a new course, setting her sights on engineering as a means to carve her niche in the world of aviation.

“I figured if they wouldn’t let me fly ‘em, I might as well learn to build ‘em,” she quips, a mischievous twinkle dancing in her eyes. And so, armed with determination and a hefty dose of defiance, she set off on a quest for knowledge that would make even the most intrepid adventurers balk.

Enrolling in the U.S. at The Aviation Academy in Texas at the age of 18, Smith earned her wings and then some, snagging her private pilot license faster than you can say “clear for takeoff.” But her ambitions knew no bounds, and she soon found herself winging her way to San Diego State University, where she dove headfirst into the wild world of Aviation Engineering.

“It was a revelation,” Smith reminisces. “To have the opportunity to learn and innovate in such a dynamic field was a dream come true.”

“It was like a playground for budding engineers,” she chuckles, recalling the endless hours spent tinkering with aerodynamic designs and debating the merits of turbofans versus turboprops. “I may not have been flying planes, but I sure was having a blast building ‘em.”

In 1974, her talents caught the eye of aerospace powerhouse Boeing, who wasted no time in swooping her up for what would become a 45-year career. From fine-tuning fuel delivery systems to dodging bureaucratic red tape with the finesse of a seasoned pilot, Smith helped to create several pieces of equipment for aircraftincluding improved aerodynamics, fuel delivery systems.

“I worked on several things that helped improve the flight experience for passengers, making a quieter and more fuel-efficient craft,” Smith says.

But it was a top-secret government project during the Cold War that truly marked a highpoint in her career. Tasked with developing a piece of equipment to thwart radar detection, she and her team embarked on a mission to develop technologies that are still used on military aircraft today.

“Let’s just say we got pretty creative with our solutions,” Smith quips, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of her lips. “Who knew a giant magnet could cause such a commotion?”

As accolades poured in and presidential commendations adorned her mantelpiece, Smith found herself reflecting on the true joys of her journey: family. In 1994, she welcomed her daughter Cathy into the world, embarking on a new adventure filled with long days at work and late nights at home.

“They say flying’s tough, but have you ever tried changing a squirming baby’s diaper?” Smith quips, a twinkle in her eyes.

She says that in 1995, she had the satisfaction of turning down a former detractor who applied for a job at Boeing: the man who turned her down for daring to be a woman who wanted to be a commercial pilot.

“I turned him down not because of his gender, but because he just really sucked,” she quips with satisfaction.

In 2019, after decades of dedicated service with Boeing, Smith made the momentous decision to retire and return to her roots in Oklahoma. The prospect of being closer to her daughter, who had settled in Northwest Arkansas, beckoned her back to the place she had always considered home.

“It was time to go home,” she says. “I had reached the peak and wanted to have time to spend with my husband and kids.”

Since her return, Smith has immersed herself in Oklahoma initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers. Collaborating with schools and educational institutions in the area, she lends her expertise to the development and implementation of aviation programs, offering students invaluable insights into the dynamic world of aerospace engineering.

Reflecting on her career and achievements, “It was a challenging yet exhilarating time,” Smith reflects. “To know that our work played a crucial role in safeguarding our nation’s security was immensely gratifying.”