by Patricia Korzec
Imagine yourself in a room with 99 women who have all faced insurmountable odds to follow their individual dreams of flying. When the organization called the Ninety-Nines (99's) was founded on November 2, 1929, women pilots were struggling for an identity that would position them in the world with their male counterparts.
Twenty-six women gathered that day on Long Island at Curtiss Airport in Valley Stream, New York. The weather wasn't favorable and most of the women drove in or came by train. The first order of business was the selection of Neva Paris as temporary chairman, then the presentation of flowers to Viola Gentry, who was recovering from a crash following an endurance record attempt. The women conducted their business in a hangar above the din of a Curtiss Challenger engine running as the work of the mechanics proceeded around them. Tea was served from a toolbox wagon on wheels.
Women pilots of the time were invited to assemble for mutual support, the advancement of aviation, and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation. Louise Thaden was elected secretary. She worked to keep the group together as they struggled to establish themselves and to grow. Eligibility and purpose were quickly decided upon. Membership would be open to any woman with a pilot's license, and the purpose was "good fellowship, jobs, and a central office and files on women in aviation."
Choosing a name was a little harder. Some offerings were The Climbing Vines, Noisy Birdwomen, Homing Pigeons, and Gadflies. Amelia Earhart and Jean Davis Hoyt put a stop to the nonsense proposing the name be taken from the total of charter members. The group was momentarily the 86's, then the 97's and finally the 99's. The name/number stopped at 99, but the membership thereafter grew worldwide. These first 99 women became charter members and included such luminaries as Bobbi Trout, Louis Thaden, and Amelia Earhart. In subsequent years astronauts and other women of note joined the ranks - including Indio, California's own Jackie Cochran.
The organization has grown and now has 25 sections worldwide, 154 chapters and 5,230 members. The Coachella Valley has its own chapter which meets monthly.
Over the years, the organization's mission has changed as women became more prominent in the field of aviation. Today Ninety-Nines are professional pilots for airlines, industry, and government. They are pilots who teach and pilots who fly for pleasure; they are pilots who are technicians and mechanics. But first and foremost, they are women who love to fly!
The Ninety-Nines Mission Statement:
The Ninety-Nines is the international organization
of women pilots that promotes advancement
of aviation through education, scholarships, and
mutual support while honoring our unique history
and sharing our passion for flight.
The Periscope, a series available on Amazon:
The Periscope includes a series of engaging publications that detail the rich history of the Coachella Valley. From life as a pioneer, the growth of the date industry, all the way to the Salton Sea saga, and much more, the stories bring to life the desert region of Southern California. Written under the umbrella of the Coachella Valley Historical Society (dba Coachella Valley History Museum), books in the series tell the stories of the innovators who helped to make the vibrant region what it is today.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Priscilla Porter is the Co-Director of the Porter History-Social Science Resource Center at the Palm Desert Campus of California State University San Bernardino and a volunteer at the Coachella Valley History Museum. A former elementary school teacher, she is the author of many popular curriculum guides for teachers.
Professional gratitude is extended to the contributing authors: Patricia Korzec, Renee Brown, Diana P. Kitagawa, Rod Hendry, Julia Sizek, and Patricia Laflin. Credit is extended to Eduardo Contreras for the cover design.
This is the first book in The Periscope series from the Coachella Valley Historical Society (dba Coachella Valley History Museum). Additional books in the series will be available SOON. To hear about the latest books, sign up for the exclusive New Release Mailing List by sending an email to prisporter@aol.com. You’ll be glad you did!
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