The 99s were formed by Amelia Earhart in 1929. Letters were sent to 117 licensed women pilots in that same year. Of that group 99 replied and wanted to join. They joined to bring women pilots a place to find friendship with other women and to help advance the cause of women in aviation.
The 99s were formed by Amelia Earhart in 1929. Letters were sent to 117 licensed women pilots in that same year. Of that group 99 replied and wanted to join. They joined to bring women pilots a place to find friendship with other women and to help advance the cause of women in aviation.
They met after the first All Women’s Air Derby. In that race the women pilots faced continual discrimination from male pilots. Amelia thought it was time to organize a group to help these women.
Twenty-Six women gathered for this first meeting at Curtiss Field, in Valley Stream, New York. The women ate cookies and drank tea but those attending were there to decide their aviation future. They felt that women needed guidance to enter air races, assisting them getting more experience in aviation. These were lofty goals in 1929 because their families objected strongly. They believed that flying was too dangerous and not ladylike.
Today members of the 99s are active in many aviation related jobs. They all have one thing in common: the love of flying. Some women fly for pleasure and some fly for their jobs. Many chapters have flyouts where they fly to different parts of the country. The 99s still have races and aviation shows with attendance in the thousands. The largest air show is held in Oshcosh, Wisconsin. It is sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association. The 99s have a large presence at that show.
The 99s also have speakers that help women learn new skills. These workshops are important to help the pilots reach new goals or refresh them with the latest updates.
The 99s have a girl scout day each year. The girls meet others that are interested in learning about aviation.
The 99s bring women together to learn and develop new friendships and renew old ones. I went to one and saw how excited these girls were.
A ninety-nine is identified by a little gold pin that was designed with two golden nines and has a prop that that spins. These women wear it with pride. I also wear mine because I am proud to be a member of The Friends Of The 99s.
Today the 99s are active in painting a compass rose at various airports. This helps pilots in navigation. 1919 I won a trip to the 99s museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was a fantastic experience to meet some pilots and gain more information for my blog and book. I have been a member of the Friends of the 99s for many years. I am not a pilot so I couldn’t be a member of the 99s. Therefore, I am a Friend of the 99s.
My Aunt Vicky, who was a pilot in the thirties was sent the initial letter to join the 99s. I wonder why she never joined the group. Maybe it was because she was one of the first Jewish women pilots. She earned her license in 1931 and of course there was tremendous discrimination toward Jews. Maybe she didn’t feel that she fit in because she was forty years old when she learned to fly. The majority of members were in their twenties, one was even seventeen. I will never know but I think that the 99s helped all members and non-members.
In 1984 the 99s bought and owns the Amelia Earhart Museum in Atchison, Kansas. It is visited by many that want to learn more about the iconic Amelia Earhart. The 99s Museum of Women Pilots in Oklahoma is a treasure of information about women aviators. It has an Aviation Research Laboratory for those that are interested in the history of women in aviation. In 2019 I won a trip to the museum and found the exhibits interesting and informative. Before I came a staff, member reached out to me what I wanted to research. When I arrived at the museum, they had picked out valuable information to add to my blog.
The 99s main function is to support other women pilots. They do this by continuing to have air races. This tradition started in 1929 with the first All Women Air Race. They have conventions in different parts of the United States and the world. They meet new women and develop friendships with other women.
The 99s sponsor Scholarships to women so they can finish their training without worrying about money. There are five different scholarships: They all honor Amelia Earhart.
- Flight training
- Academic
- Technical Training
- Emergency Maneuver Training
- Memorial honoring Kitty Houghton to assist women in emerging countries who want to be pilots.
The 99s also sponsor Research Scholarship Grants.
The women network other 99s through the internet. www.ninety.nines.org The internet has brought members of the 99s together no matter where they live.
The 99s also have programs for all age children. They off preschool, elementary, junior high and high school kids. These programs might someday help them decide on aviation as a career.
The 99s are willing to help others and have been very kind to me even though I’m not a pilot.
The 99s also have speakers that help women learn new skills. These workshops are important to help the pilots reach new goals or refresh them with the latest updates.
The 99s have a girl scout day each year. The girls meet others that are interested in learning about aviation.
The 99s bring women together to learn and develop new friendships and renew old ones. I went to one and saw how excited these girls were.
A ninety-nine is identified by a little gold pin that was designed with two golden nines and has a prop that that spins. These women wear it with pride. I also wear mine because I am proud to be a member of The Friends Of The 99s.
Today the 99s are active in painting a compass rose at various airports. This helps pilots in navigation. 1919 I won a trip to the 99s museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was a fantastic experience to meet some pilots and gain more information for my blog and book. I have been a member of the Friends of the 99s for many years. I am not a pilot so I couldn’t be a member of the 99s. Therefore, I am a Friend of the 99s.
My Aunt Vicky, who was a pilot in the thirties was sent the initial letter to join the 99s. I wonder why she never joined the group. Maybe it was because she was one of the first Jewish women pilots. She earned her license in 1931 and of course there was tremendous discrimination toward Jews. Maybe she didn’t feel that she fit in because she was forty years old when she learned to fly. The majority of members were in their twenties, one was even seventeen. I will never know but I think that the 99s helped all members and non-members.
In 1984 the 99s bought and owns the Amelia Earhart Museum in Atchison, Kansas. It is visited by many that want to learn more about the iconic Amelia Earhart. The 99s Museum of Women Pilots in Oklahoma is a treasure of information about women aviators. It has an Aviation Research Laboratory for those that are interested in the history of women in aviation. In 2019 I won a trip to the museum and found the exhibits interesting and informative. Before I came a staff, member reached out to me what I wanted to research. When I arrived at the museum, they had picked out valuable information to add to my blog.
The 99s main function is to support other women pilots. They do this by continuing to have air races. This tradition started in 1929 with the first All Women Air Race. They have conventions in different parts of the United States and the world. They meet new women and develop friendships with other women.
The 99s sponsor Scholarships to women so they can finish their training without worrying about money. There are five different scholarships: They all honor Amelia Earhart.
- Flight training
- Academic
- Technical Training
- Emergency Maneuver Training
- Memorial honoring Kitty Houghton to assist women in emerging countries who want to be pilots.
The 99s also sponsor Research Scholarship Grants.
The women network other 99s through the internet. www.ninety.nines.org The internet has brought members of the 99s together no matter where they live.
The 99s also have programs for all age children. They off preschool, elementary, junior high and high school kids. These programs might someday help them decide on aviation as a career.
The 99s are willing to help others and have been very kind to me even though I’m not a pilot.
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