Long in the background, Wright Brothers’ sister gets spotlight on 150th birthday

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the actress portraying Katharine Wright. She is Jessica Michnia.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The names of Orville and Wilbur Wright are synonymous with aviation history and Dayton lore, but there’s another important name from the Wright family who doesn’t get nearly as much attention.

One woman has made it her mission to change that.

Monday, Aug. 19, would have been the 150 ^th birthday of Katharine Wright, Orville and Wilbur’s younger sister.

According to Jessica Michna, who dresses as Katharine Wright and gives historical presentations as her, the Wright sister was a strong force for the Wright family, playing an important role in encouraging and supporting her brothers.

Katharine Wright graduated from Oberlin College in 1898 and worked three jobs to support Orville and Wilbur. She was also the family caregiver, nursing Orville back to health after he was injured during a test flight for the military.

She also served as their trusted advisor, even negotiating with other businesses on their behalf.

“When I discovered the impact, as I say, that she had on her brothers’ work, I thought, I’ve got to get her out there,” said Michna. “People have to know about Katharine Wright.

“The woman behind the Wright Flyer, I like to call her.”

Though she didn’t make the trip to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Katharine Wright was among the first to hear about Wilbur and Orville’s historic success when they sent a cablegram to the Wright house in Dayton on Hawthorne Street.

Michna said that the three siblings were a solid team, which is what they will always be in her eyes.

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