As a child, Sheila M. Young had her eyes on the sky and dreamed of flying. She would chase crop dusters, hoping they’d land and take her flying. They never did. Sheila didn’t know any pilots growing-up so Amelia Earhart was her inspiration, although already deceased. After overcoming obstacles too numerous to count, she finally earned her wings and became an Aviatrix (that’s a female pilot) later in life. She wrote and illustrated her debut book, I See An Airplane Up In The Sky, to share her passion for aviation and inspire those who thought becoming a pilot was impossible (especially girls, kids, women and older adults).

Sheila is a proud member of The Ninety-Nines, an aviation organization started by Amelia Earhart and 98 other female pilots in 1929. She’s a member of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and is involved in their Young Eagles Program, which gives children ages 8 to 17 an opportunity to fly while educating them about aviation. Sheila is a member of WAI (Women in Aviation International) and additionally volunteers with Honor Flight, a non-profit recognizing our veterans. She’s a chapter leader of Shut-Up and Write!, an international non-profit that hosts weekly meetings for writers around the world. Ms. Young is a member of multiple professional organizations for aviators, writers and illustrators.

Sheila holds a master’s degree in higher education, has worked with students in K-12 and universities and has lived, studied and taught abroad. She’s a professional photographer who has incorporated her aviation and nature photography into her illustrations. Her interest in military aviation can be spotted in her artwork. In her spare time, Sheila loves to hike, travel, explore the outdoors, read, write, attend air shows, shoot pictures, listen to live music, dance, laugh, volunteer in her community, search for the world’s best gelato and spend time with her family and friends.