The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Women of Flight Special Collection SDASM.SC.10160
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
6/2016
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Women of Flight Special Collection
source:
Elder, Ruth
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10160
Physical Description:
1 Cubic Feet
This is a 6 box collection. In addition, it also is composed of a file cabinet. It is comprised of Artifacts, Documents,
Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: This collection consists of several donations made in 1981 for the Women of Aviation Exhibit at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.
It has been added to over the past few decades. It documents the history of women in aviation and includes much information
in the Ninety Nines.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection consists of several donations made in 1981 for the Women of Aviation Exhibit at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.
All items have been removed from exhibit, while the new exhibition, Women of Flight, is being developed (opening in 2007).
Donations have also been made by the women in this collection that belonged to the Ninety-Nines or from miscellaneous collections.
The female pioneers of flight all began with aviatrixes, such as Amelia Earhart, Betty Wharton, and Blanche Noyes, in 1929.
Their fame started with the creation of the “Ninety-Nines,” an international organization of licensed women pilots established
to educate and support their fellow women who have passion for flight. Named for the original 99 members, the “Ninety-Nines”
were established at Curtiss Field, Long Island, New York. Of course each woman began her flying career in her own time and
reached success for her own achievements, but all thanks to the support of her fellow aviatrixes and their organizations gave
these female pilots the strength to fulfill their passion for flying.
Along with the “Ninety-Nines,” the Women’s Air Derby was born in 1929 as an official air race for women to compete in flight
in the United States, modeled after the men’s transcontinental races. As part of the National Air Races, the Women’s Derby,
also known as the “Powder Puff Derby,” was a cross-country race where only women pilots participated, the first of which included
Amelia Earhart, Ruth Elder, Betty Gillies, Blanche Noyes, Thea Rasche, Bobbi Trout, Gladys O’Donnell, along with many more.
Unfortunately with the stock market crash, flying planes became too expensive and only a few women could continue to race.
During World War II, under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was
established for civilian female pilots to fly military aircraft. Two famous aviatrixes, known as Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran
and Nancy Harkness Love, proposed to free male pilots from their duties by employing female pilots for non-combat missions.
Although both proposals were denied in 1940, once the U.S. was involved in the war they began to realize there weren’t enough
male pilots, therefore establishing two programs that later merged together to become WASP under the direction of Cochran
in 1943. After the war was won, WASP was disbanded since the female pilots weren’t needed anymore. In 1947, the “Ninety-Nines”
(also written as 99’s in this collection) resurrected the Powder Puff Derby for those women who still wanted to pursue their
dreams of flying. For 30 years, women raced for AWTAR, the All Women's Transcontinental Air Race, which had its own office
and board members preparing for the annual races. In 1947, the final race was held due to high costs and a lawsuit for not
allowing male pilots to race.
The Whirly-Girls was established in 1955 as an organization for international women helicopter pilots. The goals of this organization
are to promote women in the helicopter industry through scholarship awards and mentoring for training women pilots, exchange
information among other female helicopter pilots, and promote community acceptance of rotorcraft. As of 2011, there are over
1700 registered members representing 44 countries.
The women featured in this collection, and their involvement in history as aviatrixes, are listed below and their individual
info can be found in boxes #5 and #6.
This is a 6 box collection. In addition, it also is composed of a file cabinet. It is comprised of Artifacts, Documents,
Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs.
This collection is open to research by appointment.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Powder Puff Derby
Trans World Airlines
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Space Shuttle Program
Ninety-Nines (Organization)
All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (ATWAR)
Earhart, Amelia
Coleman, Bessie
Noyes, Blanche
Trout, Bobbi Evelyn
Quimby, Harriet
Cochran, Jacqueline
Barnes, Florence "Pancho"
Elder, Ruth
Ride, Sally
Box 1 of 6
Series I: Oversized Materials
Physical Description: 1. (4) 11x14 images of Amelia Earhart
2. Large manila folder full of original newspaper clippings of Amelia Earhart and Ruth Elder
3. Calligraphy of “Why Women Make Better Pilots”
4. (2) large photos on foam of the 99’s El Cajon Chapter, 1979
5. Color print poster of various aircrafts flown by the WASPs
6. (3) photographs on foam of Amelia Earhart
7. (2) vinyl records of Amelia Earhart Exhibit presentation
8. “World’s Premiere Aviatrix” black book of Amelia Earhart articles and pictures
9. (2) Denalt performance computers
10. (1) Slide Rule
11. (1) Dead Reckoning Computer, specification AN-C-74-A in its leather pouch
12. “Kane MK-6B Dead Reckoning Computer” instruction booklet
13. “Computer Guide for Pilots” booklet
14. Pilot’s Bill of Rights
15. Flight Organizer with Enroute Flight Log papers
Box 2 of 6
Series II: Artifacts, Documents, Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs
Physical Description: 1. 99’s Calendar 1981: (3) calendars produced by the Phoenix Chapter
2. Folder with (18) photos of 99’s
3. 99’s SD chapter 7th annual air race: programs and newspaper clippings, folders with meeting agendas, and (3) black & white
8x10 photographs
4. Buffington, H. Glenn: 99’s photo album with (41) pictures of 1929 Air Races
5. Press releases and newspaper clippings, magazines, articles on the 99’s
6. Rogers, Will: meets with the 99’s, letter and photocopy
7. 99’s: Photocopies of articles on the 99’s
8. Angel Derbies: All Women’s International Air Race, “Angel Derby” race results, programs, and newspaper clippings
9. Women’s Air Derby of 1929: copies of first race female pilots articles written by Buffington; (23) photos of the 99’s including
aviatrixes Bobbi Trout, Vera Walker, Ruth Elder, Pancho Barnes, Edith Kuntz, Gladys O’Donnell, Phoebe Omlie
10. Angel Derby: 1973, ‘77, ‘78 programs
11. Powder Puff Derby ‘73: Rules and regulations, and results
Box 3 of 6
Series II: Artifacts, Documents, Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs
Physical Description: 1. Aerobatics: newspaper clippings and photocopies
2. Ballooning: photocopies of articles on Ann Meuer and Mary H. Myers, “Carlotta the lady Aeronaut” (known as the first woman
in the US to pilot her own aircraft-hot air balloon)
3. Convair painting: (3) pictures of Convair’s montage with information written by Glenn Buffington, along with photocopies
4. Donation letters: includes all of the donation papers and letters for the women of flight collection
5. Female Shuttle Astronauts-Women in Space: newspaper clippings from the San Diego Union, photocopies and original biographical
data from NASA in Margaret Rhea Seddon, Judith Resnik, Shannon Lucid, Anna Fisher, Bonnie Dunbar, Kathryn Sullivan, and Sally
Ride
6. Flight Attendants: United Airlines information and (11) original uniform pictures; (8) TWA hostess uniform pictures and
photocopies
7. ISA exhibit opening, 1994: (24) loose photos, Women in Aviation guestbook, and (14) photos in small album
8. NASA, 1 of 3: (39) total 8x10 color and black & white photos from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center- (6) Mary Cleave;
(4) Bonnie Dunbar; (18) Anna Fisher; (7) Shannon Lucid; and (4) of multiple women
9. NASA, 2 of 3: (29) total 8x10 color and black &white photos from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center- (10) Judith Resnik;
(12) Rhea Seddon; and (7) Kathryn Sullivan
10. NASA, 3 of 3: 47 total 8x10 color and black & white photos from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center of Sally Ride
11. Naval Aviation Women: photocopies of Joellen Drag appearing in two Japanese magazine articles; “Women in the Navy;” military/aviation
magazines from the Navy in the 70s; photocopies of articles on Rosemary Merims Conaster and Joellen Drag Oslund
12. Negatives w/o Provenance
Box 4 of 6
Series II: Artifacts, Documents, Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs
Physical Description: 1. Reunion Party: Ninety-Nine’s reunion party proofs and negatives of [names of women]; and also negatives of 99’s painting
the Lindbergh Field runway
2. Smithsonian Institution Women Aviation: (9) black & white photos of Tiny, Bessie Coleman, Anne Lindbergh, etc from the
Smithsonian Institute of D.C.
3. Soaring: contains article from 1978 “The San Diego Union” about the “Anne Lindbergh Gliders;” a photocopy of missing Lindbergh
glider story written by Richard Benbough member of the San Diego Aerospace museum; Information about Helen R. Dick and the
soaring hall of fame; photocopy of Hanna Reitsch (Whirly-Girl #1) German aviator in World War II article on her many flight
records
4. Swain Artwork: black & white ink drawings from book “We Were WASPs” by Winifred wood, drawings by Dot Swain
5. Various Women: lots of articles and photocopies on many women of flight, 3 foam photos, and (1) 8x10 black & white photo
6. WASP: copies of 30th Memorial Reunion of WASP, ground school WASP report, WASP roster from Marana Army Air Field, sign-in
sheet for WASP reunion meeting in 1978; photocopies of Meredith Campbell; original 1984 “The San Diego Union” article about
the WASPs; written address by Betty Gillies for a 99’s international convention about the WAFS-Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying
Squadron; (2) negatives on WASPs; photocopies of women pilots and articles about WASP history; photocopy of Life magazine
from 1943; negative and (1) 8x10 photo of WASP logo designed by Walt Disney; photocopies of graduation ceremony of Mary Lou
Colbert and Jacqueline Cochran
7. Women In Aviation: exhibition development and info; proofs and negatives of women in aviation exhibit; proofs and negatives
of Laura Ingalls; 2 programs; bibliography of women in aeronautics for WIA exhibit by Camilla Hutson; articles on “Girl Pilots”;
cover of Life magazine; (1) photo from exhibit
8. Women’s National Aeronautical Association: an original 1940 newspaper clipping from “The San Diego Union” on the WNAA members
9. Whirly-Girls: photocopies of Whirly-Girls articles; Whirly-Girls logo illustration; Hanna Reitsch articles; Dora Jean Doughtry
Strother; photocopy of picture of Whirly-Girls with Prince Philip; Lauretta Foy-Bell helicopter news photocopy; actual Whirly-Girls
logo patch; Judy Short Memorial Heliport Hospital certificates; Peanuts and Whirly-Girls comic and correspondence photocopy;
April 1956 Pegasus
Box 5 of 6
Series II: Artifacts, Documents, Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs (cont)
Physical Description: 1. Baumann, Joanruth: original resumes; copy of photograph; letters from JB
2. Bera, Fran: (real name: Frances Bera) many photocopies of pictures of Fran Bera and aircraft/other people; original articles
on Fran Bera
3. Bledsoe, Anna: black & white photocopies of pictures of Anna Bledsoe
4. Brown, Janice: article from National Geographic; negative of Solar Challenger ; (17) black and white photos from Solar
Challenger, pilots, and project people, including Janice Brown, photos by Randa Bishop; packet information and biographical
information
5. Cadman, Vivian (Eddy): photocopies of Cadman, a WWII WASP female pilot (class 43-W-5)
6. Cobb, Jerrie: (6) photos of Cobb and many articles and photocopies of articles on Jerrie Cobb’s achievements; Jerrie Cobb
Foundation brochure
7. Dick, Helen: list of Helen Dick’s soaring achievements and photocopy of Helen Dick and Cirrus sailplane
8. Earhart, Amelia, 1 of 5: 2 first day covers of Amelia Earhart; (1) black & white photo of Amelia Earhart with Blanche Noyes;
(2) black & white pictures of Amelia Earhart’s mom at her memorial exhibit; (2) photos on foam, one signed by Amelia Earhart;
(1) 8x10 color photo reproduction of Amelia Earhart painting; (1) photo of the 99’s for the 50th anniversary of Earhart’s
solo flight across the Atlantic donated by Betty Gillies
9. Earhart, 2 of 5:photocopies of pictures; Amelia Earhart fellowship awards 1978-79; 1949 program for Smithsonian Amelia
Earhart Memorial; Liberty magazine with article on page 30; maps regarding the search for Amelia Earhart
10. Earhart, 3 of 5: Hall of Fame gift consisting of (6) photos of aviatrixes
11. Earhart, 4 of 5: Amelia Earhart handwritten letters to Lloyd Royer and a Kinner Airplane and Motor Corp passenger ticket
12. Earhart, 5 of 5: folder with many articles and cutouts from Air Classics and National Geographic about Amelia Earhart
13. Funk, Wally: (real name: Mary Wallace Funk II) copy of article about Wally Funk; business card; copy of picture; letter
from Wally; FAA background from National Transportation Safety Board; biography from AIAA student journal
14. Gillies, Betty: (1) picture of Betty Gillies from 1930, (24) pictures from Betty’s scrapbook (including a picture of Betty
Gillies skating for charity along with Amelia Earhart, Frances Marsales, and Elvy Kalep), photocopy of letter informing Betty
Gillies of winning the Paul Tissandier diploma of honor along with (1) photo of the diploma, photocopies of pictures of Betty
Gillies with other women
15. Hopkins-Tier, Nancy: 8x10 black & white picture of Nancy in cockpit of airplane; (1) 5x7 black & white picture next to
tail of Cessna 170A with Bicentennial seal; page with biographical summary of activities and wards; 7-page typed bio of Nancy
Hopkins-Tier; copy of pilot’s log for the 6th Annual Air Tour, September 11-27, 1930; copy of pilot’s license with signature
of Orville Wright, August 9, 1930; photocopies of article and pictures
16. Kendeigh, Jane: first Navy flight nurse-brochure of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation museum; newsletter of the Admiral Nimitz
from summer 1985; “The San Diego Union” article of her death; (2) Admiral Nimitz Foundation story booklets of Jane Kendeigh
titled: “The First Navy Flight Nurse on a Pacific Battlefield” about her flight to Iwo Jima
17. Knapp, Brooke: (2) 8x10 black & white photos; copies of biographies on Brooke Knapp; copies of articles from magazines
18. McDermott, Elysa: “The San Diego Union” article on Elysa McDermott and her Navy husband
19. Noyes, Blanche: articles of Blanche Noyes; proofs and negatives of Blanche Noyes; photocopy of Blanche Noyes and Amelia
Earhart picture
20. Scott, Blanche Stuart: (AKA: Betty Scott) possibly the first woman aviator, First Day Cover of 28cent Airmail stamp commemorating
Scott's achievements in aviation
21. Schmidt, Maxine Crookston: pictures of Maxine Crookston Schimdt and her autobiography
22. Thaden, Louise: articles, photocopies of pictures; personal and professional biography; letter written by Louise Thaden;
(27) color and black & white photographs varying in size; National Aeronautic magazine from August 1936 with article of Louise
Thaden; photocopies of National Air Races and Bendix Aviation checks written to Louise Thaden
23. Warner, Emily: proof of picture of first female airline pilot
24. Willhite, Nellie: ticket #1044 for plane ride with Nellie Willhite in her plane “Pard”
25. Waterford Bragg, Janet Harmon: African American with commercial pilot’s license article
26. Yeager, Jeana: Lindbergh dinner autographed program where Yeager presented an award; (3) 8x10 photographs of Jeana Yeager
and the Voyager; (1) large photograph of the world map tracing its flight, and articles on the Voyager’s flight around the
world, (1) black & white photo of Yeager with her autograph
Box 6 of 6
Series II: Artifacts, Documents, Magazines, Newspapers, and Photographs (cont)
Physical Description: 1. Alexander, Ruth: “The San Diego Union” articles and photocopy of picture
2. Ayers, Elfleda: article biography
3. Banks, Marian: typed letters from Marian Banks; articles about her races; donated picture proofs
4. Barnes, Florence “Pancho”: many articles and photocopies of pictures
5. Barr, Mary: (3) color photos; many articles and article cut-outs; magazines from the 70’s
6. Barrett, Barbara: newspaper article cut-out
7. Barth Bear, Ida: article on flight attendant from 1933 United Airlines
8. Bass, Beverly: 3-page autobiography; copy of FAA letter to Bass; copies of articles about Beverly Bass; photocopy of picture
9. Batten, Jean: “LA Times” article: Museum of Transport and Technology of New Zealand editorial/biography of Jean Batten,
Aviation Sales Co. Booklet on Jean Batten
10. Beard, Melba: photocopies of articles on Melba Beard, article about daughter, and letters by Melba Beard
11. Beech, Olive Ann: articles and photocopies of articles; photocopy of picture
12. Berndt, Lydia: newspaper article cut-out
13. Bixby, Dianna: article about her death
14. Black, Gertrude: Lockheed-Vega Employee’s Victory Committee certificate
15. Bonney, Dolores: newspaper article cut-out
16. Borden, Sylvia: article on her parachuting
17. Bowman, Leslie and Martie: newspaper article on sisters
18. Boyer, Lillian: many newspaper articles, photograph, biosgraphies, autographed flyers
19. Breckenridge (De Acosta), Mrs. Henry: article
20. Brick, Kay A.: Aviation Hall of Fame Museum postcard of Kay Brick
21. Briggs, Evelyn: newspaper article cut-outs
22. Broadwick, Georgia “Tiny”: many articles about the first lady parachutist; Ripley’s parachute cartoon drawing of “Tiny”
Broadwick from February 24, 1941
23. Bryant, Alys: business card
24. Callaway, Margaret: resumes and letters, All Woman Baja California Air Race program (page 8)
25. Cochran, Jacqueline: (3) 8x10 black & white photos
26. Cuddy, Helen: collection of life stories for Helen Cuddy on her 100th birthday
27. Elder, Ruth: photocopies of pictures
28. Hlavacek, Jane Page: biography of aviation career
29. Hopflingen-Bergendorf, Frau von: German certificates and documents
30. Hytinen, Mary G.: Ground School graduation certificate
31. Jayne, Barbara Kibbee: articles and letters, membership form, telegraph from Jayne, (9) black & white photos of Jayne
and test pilots
32. Kennedy, Kay J.: letters to Bruce Reynolds at the San Diego Aerospace Museum in 1984
33. Keppen, Caroline: letters to and from Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, postcards written to Keppen-Rawlins; passes
and forms; letters
34. Lindbergh, Anne Morrow: letters to International Aerospace Hall of Fame
35. Madson, Marie Kovar: hand-written biography
36. Markham, Beryl: original biography article from Aviation News, Jan- Feb 1987 edition
37. McGee, Helen: article about Helen McGee
38. Mock, Jerrie: photocopies of articles and pictures
39. Moffatt, Virginia: Stanavo Pilot’s handbook; class log book with signatures ; WASP poster booklet; composition book with
handwriting; original Private Pilot’s license; restricted radio telephone operator permit; Private Fliers Association membership
identification; (2) small black & white photos
40. Myrland, Isabel: original Airman identification card, pilot’s license and aircraft radio-telephone operator authorization
41. Nichols, Ruth: photocopy of pictures and biography
42. Nickerson, Ada: Honorary Life Member certificate for the Space and Flight Equipment Association
43. O’Donnell, Gladys: photocopies of pictures
44. Omelie, Phoebe: Biography of Omelie written and donated by Jane Stevens, along with photocopies of articles and pictures
of Omelie
45. Pellegreno, Ann H.: letters, and their photocopies, between Mrs. Pellegreno and Bruce Reynolds concerning donations to
the museum; photocopies of pictures
46. Penfield, Phyllis Goddard: letter s between Penfield and Mr. Lesley Forden regarding the Dole Air Race
47. Quimby, Harriet: photocopies of articles on Quimby’s biography and achievements
48. Rinehart, Terry London: 1978 Working Woman magazine donated by Terry L. Rinehart with article about her on page 33; letter
from a child written to Terry London Rinehart; notes written by Rinehart on Whirly-Girls paper; brochure for the University
of Colorado flying hot air balloons; copy of Whirly-Girls article of Terry London Rinehart, Terry London Rinehart’s resume
49. Ross, Polly Potter: small biography
50. Sanders, Dottie: San Diego Aerospace Museum certificate; 99’s certificate of appreciation; Christmas photo card
51. Smith, Joan Merriam: petition to honor Amelia Earhart and Joan Merriam Smith as two aero pioneers to give them an Earhart-Merriam
Aviation Day on May 12th
52. Spring, Priscilla “Tory”: American Airlines employee identification
53. Trout, Bobbi: autographed letters
54. Wagner, Judy: biography photocopy and (1) 8x10 color photo
Cabinet in Basement
Drawer 1
Physical Description: 1. 99’s Membership Directories from 1973 to 2005
2. “International Women Pilots: The 99 News”
3. (15) volumes from 1987-1988, 1997-2003
4. Powder Puff Derby commemorative album
5. The Ninety-Nines international convention booklet from August 1983
6. Programs and pictures for the San Diego chapter of the 99’s
7. Betty Wharton folder: Powder Puff Derby ribbons, postcards, brochures, maps, newspaper clippings about Powder Puff Derby,
the 99’s, Palms and Pines race, and “The San Diego Union”
Drawer 2
Physical Description: 1. Folders with Women’s Air Races and Powder Puff Derby newspapers and programs
2. Folders filled with photocopies of pictures, newspaper clippings and programs on the 99’s, Air Races, military female pilots,
airline pilots, WWII-WASPs
3. Binder from Betty Wharton with All Women’s Transcontinental Air Races (AWTAR) pictures: (65) photocopies and (2) photos
of the 50th Annual Powder Puff Derby in Palm Springs, 1997
Drawer 3
Physical Description: 1. Memorabilia from San Diego 99, Clara Aldridge: Powder Puff Derby and Air Races programs, along with newspaper clippings
2. Flight Service map
3. Betty Gillies plaque
4. (1) photo on foam of Melba Beard
5. Bobbi Trout’s Pilot’s Handbook
6. (1) large photo in cylinder of 99’s in Culver City, CA airport donated by Melba Beard: “largest group of women pilots pictured”
7. (2) large photos in cylinder of 1942 Newsday on Women Fliers and Roosevelt Field, donated by Barbara Jayne