Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu's 135th Birthday

Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu was a high-flying reporter, war correspondent and the first licensed woman aviator in Romania. Today’s Google Doodle, illustrated by Cluj-Napoca, Romania-based guest artist Dariana Ilie, celebrates this aviator’s 135th Birthday

Caragiani-Stoenescu was born on May 13th, 1887 in Tecuci, Romania. At the age of 25, she flew for the first time in a plane piloted by her former horse-riding instructor. Later that year, she enrolled in the League of Aviation, a Romanian flying school. As the only female student in the school, her civil pilot license was rejected by the Ministries of Education and Civil Defense despite her completion of all courses. 

Undeterred, Caragiani-Stoenescu joined the Civil Aviation School in France. At the age of 27 she received her pilot license, the 12th international license granted to a woman and the first for a Romanian woman. Romania didn’t allow her to participate in airshows, so Caragiani-Stoenescu became a reporter for a French daily newspaper, flying for long-distance trips to the Caribbean and South America. She also worked as a war correspondent for the Press Trust of Mexico.

After Romania’s entry into World War I, she requested to participate as a pilot, but was again denied. Caragiani-Stoenescu worked as a Red Cross nurse in Bucharest, Romania for the duration of the war. She later established a health clinic in Tecuci and worked as a journalist around the world focusing on airline events. 

Today, a high school in Caragiani-Stoenescu’s birthplace bears her name and she is commonly studied in Romanian aviation courses. Happy 135th Birthday Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu! Your determination and legacy have inspired women to soar to new heights.

Guest Artist Q&A with Dariana Ilie

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Cluj-Napoca, Romania-based guest artist Dariana Ilie. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Elena’s story is very inspirational to me. Her accomplishments are remarkable. The fact that I had the chance to document and embody her life and actions through my artistic style truly inspired me in my process and makes me extremely grateful to take part in this project.

Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? 

A: The inspiration came from her story. I mostly work with simple shapes and loose elements associated with the human figure so in this case Elena’s story and her strong personality were very inspirational to me. Portraying her as the strong woman she was felt like a great challenge and I found the process extremely energizing.

Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I would like people to feel more driven and joyous in pursuing even the tiniest dreams that they have on a daily basis. My Doodle can be an example of what accomplishments feel like when you hold dear your passion and stay sincere to yourself. The message can be perceived differently by everyone but I still hope that it is founded on the feeling of joy.