fewer than 200 women served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots program in the 125th Tournament of Roses parade . Female pilots ferried military planes around the country to allow men to fight overseas . A bill that would have made the program part of the military failed in Congress in 2010 . It was n't until 1977 that President Jimmy Carter signed legislation -- passed with the help of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater -- awarding the WASP military status and making participants eligible for veterans ' benefits . Members of the program were awarded the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944 .
fewer than 200 women served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots program in the 125th Tournament of Roses parade . Female pilots ferried military planes around the country to allow men to fight overseas . A bill that would have made the program part of the military failed in Congress in 2010 . Members of the program were awarded the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944 .