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On Nov. 2, 1929 at Curtiss Field in New York, there were 117 licensed women pilots and many gathered to support the advancement of aviation, founding the organization now known as the Ninety-Nines. Now, 94 years later, the international organization has over 150 chapters working with a common goal to promote aviation through education, scholarships and mutual support.
The early years
In 1929, 26 women gathered at the Curtiss Airport and selected Neva Paris as temporary chairman, conducting their business in a hangar above ta roaring Curtiss Challenger engine running with mechanics working around them. The early female aviators enjoyed tea served from a toolbox wagon on wheels, beginning a club that would grow to support women in aviation internationally. The women determined club eligibility and a purpose, offering membership to any woman with a pilot's license and stating the purpose as "good fellowship, jobs and a central office and files on women in aviation." The difficult part came next - choosing a name.
Between suggestions like The Climbing Vines, Noisy Birdwomen, Homing Pigeons and Gadflies, Amelia Earhart and Jean Davis Hoyt proposed the name stem from the number of charter members, temporarily the 86s, then the 97s and finally landing on the 99s. Earhart was elected as the first president in 1931, holding the role for two years until Margaret Cooper Manser was elected in 1933. The early 99s included aviation greats like Earhart and Louise Thaden. Many of the charter members went on to set aviation records and push boundaries for women in the field. Earhart went on to become the most famous woman pilot of her time, Thaden set records and became the first woman to win in the Bendix Trophy Race, and international members like Thea Rasche went on to become a famous stunt flier.RELATED STORY:1936 Bendix Race winning Staggerwing C17R up for auction
During WWII, the 99s were devoted to the war effort. Members devoted their time and aviation skills to groups like Relief Wings, working as flight instructors and forming the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. American socialite Ruth Nichols founded Relief Wings, which she later turned over to the Civil Air Patrol. Some women became flight instructors to replace the men who had gone off to war. In 1942 Betty Huyler became one of the original 25 women forming the WAFS, organized by Nancy Harkness Love. She went on to direct the Powder Puff Derby and later served as President of the Ninety-Nines and established the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships. Jacqueline Cochran went on to break numerous records and in 1962 she established over 30 speed records in a Lockheed Jetstar.
By the 40s women were becoming more established in aviation. The first All-Woman Air Show took place in Tampa, Florida in March 1947 and was sponsored by a Florida Chapter. Over 13,000 people watched Marge Hurlburt set a new international women's speed record of 337 miles per hour. Since the early years, air races have been a large part of the organization. From Thaden's historic Bendix win to the many races that originated with the 99s like the Kachina Doll Air Race in Arizona, the Michigan Small Race and the Palms to Pines Air Race. A tradition emerged that nearly wherever the Powder Puff Derby touched, a new Chapter was formed.
From the sky to space, and beyond
On May 4, 1964 President Lyndon Johnson announced the formation of the FAA's Women's Advisory Committee on Aviation and many of the 27 non-government members and the five government members were also members of the 99s. In 1961 Jerrie Cobb became the first female to pass all three phases of the Mercury Astronaut Program and 12 other 99s passed the physical and lab tests but were rejected and the first woman in space was the Russian-born Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova. It was not until January 1978 that the first group of six women scientists would be selected for astronaut training, including Anna Fisher, Shannon Lucid, Judith Resnik, Sally Ride, Margaret Seddon and Kathryn Sullivan.
By the 1960s, the military was expanding roles for women. Women began flying as corporate pilots and in 1968, Jan Dietrich became the first woman in the U.S. to achieve an ATP in four-engine jets. The 99s held the first Flyaway in 1963, honoring the Amelia Earhart eight-cent commemorative airmail stamp. The 1970s saw many firsts in the group, notably in the year 1979. Kathleen Snaper achieved two endurance records; Susan Hortsman became the first woman to copilot for National Airlines; Cobb and Ida Van Smith received Bishop Wright Air Industry Awards; Carolyn Curies was named Educator of the Year by the American Society for Aerospace Education; Joyce Case became the first and only woman on the Beech production flight test team; and Betty Roberts became the first female FAA airworthiness inspector.
Entering the 1980s, military opportunities for women pilots increased. Julie Clark Ames became the first woman to fly with the Confederate Air Force as a pilot. The Air Force was accepting 30-50 women per year for pilot training and the Navy flying program was training about 15 women per year in 1981. In September 1981, Australian Senja Robey became the fourth woman to be invested with the livery of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigation. In 1982, Janice Brown piloted the Solar Challenger and set records for solar flight in altitude, distance flown and time airborne and in December of 1982, Brown received the Harmon Trophy at the White House from President Ronald Reagan. The International Board of the 99s accepted the management responsibility for the U.S. Precision Flying Team.
Throughout the 1980s, the 99s became more established in various sectors of aviation, from racing and aerobatics and charitable work. The group hosted competitions, awarded scholarships, and promoted aviation and female pioneers like Earhart. The 99s led programs with the FAA and were firmly established as a leading women-in-aviation organization, following through with the original mission of the inaugural 26 women at Curtiss Field. On Dec. 29, 1986 for the first time in American history and possibly all commercial aviation history, the first-ever all-female flight crew flew a Boeing 727 jetliner, led by Captain Beverly Bass.
The 1990s to nowThe Ninety-Nines has continued to inspire women aviators around the world. In the 1990s, women continued to push boundaries and embark on new journeys in aviation. In 1992 the first female helicopter pilot flew to Antarctica and the same year Lt. Kelly J. Franke became the first woman pilot to be awarded the Naval Helicopter Association Pilot of the Year Award. Women were becoming more involved in the military and commercial aviation. From the first female pilots or officers to the first female CEO of a commercial airline, there was little that women did not accomplish in aviation.
Women in Aviation International was formed in 1990 and formalized in 1994, eventually establishing the Pioneer Hall of Fame to honor women in aviation. In 1995 the Federation of European Women Pilots was founded and in 1997 the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance was formed. The women pioneers of aviation and charter members forged the way for the female pilots of modern aviation.
Modern women in aviation fly for airlines, the military, in space, air races, haul cargo, teach students, perform aircraft maintenance and fly for their own enjoyment. After 94 years of pushing women forward in the field of aviation, the Ninety-Nines are continuing to advance women in the field. There are over 150 chapters in the U.S. and Canada and another 17 offshore Sections on five continents. The many groups work to provide education, scholarships and support to members and all women in aviation.
What began with a small group of courageous pilots and pioneers has grown into a global support system for all women in aviation.