Robina Asti (1921–2021), WWII veteran and transgender advocate
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 – March 21, 2021) was an American flight instructor and advocate for women's and transgender rights. Her advocacy changed government rules to allow transgender people to receive Social Security survivor benefits. In July 2020, Asti was awarded two Guinness World Records for being the oldest active pilot and active flight instructor.
Asti was born April 7, 1921, in Manhattan, New York, to David Astey, a featherweight boxer, and Helen (Jund) Astey, a homemaker. Asti was assigned male at birth, and did not begin to identify as female until adulthood. Her father had anglicized their last name for his career; Robina changed it back to the Italian spelling when she transitioned. She grew up in Greenwich Village, taking an early interest in electrical engineering. As a teenager, she earned money fixing radios around the neighborhood, with a steady flow of customers.
She attended Brooklyn Technical High School until age 17, when she dropped out to join the United States Navy.
Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. They had four children, one of whom died in childhood.
With the support of her wife, Asti began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, following the birth of their youngest child. This was followed by sex reassignment surgery. The couple amicably separated soon afterwards, and Asti moved back to New York City. There, she met artist Norwood Patten; they married in 2004.
Source: wikipedia
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 – March 21, 2021) was an American flight instructor and advocate for women's and transgender rights. Her advocacy changed government rules to allow transgender people to receive Social Security survivor benefits. In July 2020, Asti was awarded two Guinness World Records for being the oldest active pilot and active flight instructor.
Asti was born April 7, 1921, in Manhattan, New York, to David Astey, a featherweight boxer, and Helen (Jund) Astey, a homemaker. Asti was assigned male at birth, and did not begin to identify as female until adulthood. Her father had anglicized their last name for his career; Robina changed it back to the Italian spelling when she transitioned. She grew up in Greenwich Village, taking an early interest in electrical engineering. As a teenager, she earned money fixing radios around the neighborhood, with a steady flow of customers.
She attended Brooklyn Technical High School until age 17, when she dropped out to join the United States Navy.
Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. They had four children, one of whom died in childhood.
With the support of her wife, Asti began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, following the birth of their youngest child. This was followed by sex reassignment surgery. The couple amicably separated soon afterwards, and Asti moved back to New York City. There, she met artist Norwood Patten; they married in 2004.
Source: wikipedia
Robina Asti (1921–2021), WWII veteran and transgender advocate
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 – March 21, 2021) was an American flight instructor and advocate for women's and transgender rights. Her advocacy changed government rules to allow transgender people to receive Social Security survivor benefits. In July 2020, Asti was awarded two Guinness World Records for being the oldest active pilot and active flight instructor.
Asti was born April 7, 1921, in Manhattan, New York, to David Astey, a featherweight boxer, and Helen (Jund) Astey, a homemaker. Asti was assigned male at birth, and did not begin to identify as female until adulthood. Her father had anglicized their last name for his career; Robina changed it back to the Italian spelling when she transitioned. She grew up in Greenwich Village, taking an early interest in electrical engineering. As a teenager, she earned money fixing radios around the neighborhood, with a steady flow of customers.
She attended Brooklyn Technical High School until age 17, when she dropped out to join the United States Navy.
Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. They had four children, one of whom died in childhood.
With the support of her wife, Asti began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, following the birth of their youngest child. This was followed by sex reassignment surgery. The couple amicably separated soon afterwards, and Asti moved back to New York City. There, she met artist Norwood Patten; they married in 2004.
Source: wikipedia
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 – March 21, 2021) was an American flight instructor and advocate for women's and transgender rights. Her advocacy changed government rules to allow transgender people to receive Social Security survivor benefits. In July 2020, Asti was awarded two Guinness World Records for being the oldest active pilot and active flight instructor.
Asti was born April 7, 1921, in Manhattan, New York, to David Astey, a featherweight boxer, and Helen (Jund) Astey, a homemaker. Asti was assigned male at birth, and did not begin to identify as female until adulthood. Her father had anglicized their last name for his career; Robina changed it back to the Italian spelling when she transitioned. She grew up in Greenwich Village, taking an early interest in electrical engineering. As a teenager, she earned money fixing radios around the neighborhood, with a steady flow of customers.
She attended Brooklyn Technical High School until age 17, when she dropped out to join the United States Navy.
Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. They had four children, one of whom died in childhood.
With the support of her wife, Asti began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, following the birth of their youngest child. This was followed by sex reassignment surgery. The couple amicably separated soon afterwards, and Asti moved back to New York City. There, she met artist Norwood Patten; they married in 2004.
Source: wikipedia
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