Our Story

The Fifi Patch was founded in 2023 by two women with a vision to introduce a more accessible pain management product to women of all ages, who are not aware of the benefits of an over the counter lidocaine patch. 

The Fifi Patch is named after the fearless, yet often forgotten ladies of the Women Airforce Service Pilots whose chosen mascot was Disney’s “Fifinella” gremlin. These female fliers who flew over 60 million miles during WWII, completed the same advanced training courses as male Army Air Corps pilots, yet were considered civilian ferry pilots and not members of the Army Air Corps.  

Despite their service to their country, they faced a significant amount of discrimination including sex, financial, age, and race. Since the military had determined that menopause began at age 40, the age limit for recruits was capped at 35 “in order “to avoid the irrationality of women when they enter and go through menopause.” Race was also a factor. Though the military allowed Chinese Americans, Native Americans, and Latin Americans to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots program, they did not allow African Americans to join.

Mildred Hemmons Cart earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Tuskegee Institute and received her aviation certification; however, due to her sex, she was rejected from flying with the Tuskegee Airmen. Seventy years later, she was recognized retroactively as a WASP, and Carter took her final flight at age 90. 

The Program was shuttered in December 1944 to avoid “replacing instead of releasing our young men” and the Programs’ records were sealed and classified; however, their fight for their country’s recognition, equality, inclusion, and Veterans’ status would continue for decades, and in 1977 President Carter granted Veteran status to the female fliers.

We chose the name “Fifi Patch” not only to remember these brave female fliers, but to remind ourselves of their story, the status quo will change if one continues and inclusion for all can be a reality. 

Though progress has been made to reduce the gender and race gap in healthcare, more needs to be made. By creating the Fifi Patch, we hope to educate and provide ALL women a pain management tool made specifically by women for women.