As a nucleus of experienced pilots started flying successfully, Jacqueline Cochran's idea of training lower-time pilots and introducing them into the WAFS was adopted. As young women graduated from the training program, they would join the ranks of the Ferry Command. Miss Cochran's training program commenced in Houston and was designated the Women's Flying Training Detachment or WFTD. Four classes went through training, contending with such unmilitary problems as housing, transportation, no mess hall, and clothing.
They had come to Houston to fly for their country and they worked hard. Halfway through the fourth training class, the whole operation was moved to Sweetwater, TX. The WAFS and WFTD were merged into one organization called WASP, Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Miss Cochran was named Director of Women Pilots. Mrs. Love continued as WASP Executive of the Ferrying division of the ATC.
Dependence upon the WASPs grew, and they flew everything the US built. By 1944,
WASPs were the only ferry pilots flying the P-47 Thunderbolt out of the Republic
factory.
The WASP program was certainly successful. Safety and reliability were excellent and
the freeing of male pilots made the program a valuable one for victory. Civilians
Barbara Erickson (London) and Nancy Love received the Air Medal, and Jacqueline
Cochran received the Distinguished Service Medal.
Jacqueline Cochran's credentials and fame had been established solidly before the
war. Yet she went on to fly a Northrop T-38 jet and break every speed, altitude and
distance record for women. She won the Bendix Race, set innumerable records and
has been a multiple Harmon Trophy winner. She served the 99s as president.
By the 50th anniversary of the 99s (1979), the WWII Women's Airforce Service
Pilots (WASP), gained veteran status for their wartime efforts. Women took their
places in the cockpits of national airlines. With the exception of the Marine Corps, the
military services opened their ranks to women pilots. Women were selected as
astronaut candidates, held key positions in aerospace advertising and marketing and
sales, and worked as engineers, scientists, lawyers and leaders in important aviation
research and development projects.
Women became employed in highly technical civilian and government positions. By
1979, more than 5 percent of air traffic controllers were women. Women also were
employed as Air Safety Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board.
In the 1930s, Helen Richey the first woman to fly a scheduled mail flight. By 1979, 110 of the
45,000 airline pilots were women. It was perhaps unimpressive on the large scale,
but a giant step for women in the industry. At that time, Kim Goodwin, age 22, was
the youngest female member of a major air carrier flight crew.
Leading the way to space in 1963 was Valenhtina Tereshkova, a Russian woman. For
US women, 1979 proved to be a banner year in NASA's space program. From a field
of 35 highly qualified female astronaut candidates, six women were selected by NASA
as mission specialists for assignments on future crews. Among these women were
99s, adding to achievements in aviation as well as being noted as history-makers
within the organization.
The year of 1983 was the 200th anniversary of manned flight, and the first space
flight of a US woman astronaut, Sally K. Ride. Though many 99s were making
tremendous strides in aviation, events of 1983 were overshadowed by Sally's flight.
As part of the International Forest of Friendship celebration, 99 Lucile M. Wright
honored Hideko Yohoyama, the first licensed woman pilot in Japan. The ceremony
was held in Tokyo upon the completion of United Airlines' inaugural flight to Japan.
In a symbolic move, astronaut Dr. Linda Goodwin carried Louise Thaden's flying
helmet into space. But Dr. Goodwin was not the only woman in space this time. Rhea
Seddon, Memphis Chapter, was aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
The list of firsts continued for 99s and women achieving in aviation. Patty Wagstaff
was the first woman pilot to win the prestigious title of US National Aerobatic
Champion. For Patty, this would be one of many titles to her credit. Patty Wagstaff,
Alaska Chapter, made history again in 1993 when she won the title of U.S. National
Acrobatic Champion for the second year. She went on to place third at the
International Acrobatic Club championships.
Making 99 and US military history, 1st Lt. Jeannie Flynn became the Air Force's first
female pilot. She flew the most advanced tactical fighter aircraft, the Strike Eagle
F-15E. 2nd Lt. Sarah Deal was selected as the first female Marine pilot. Naval Officer
Shanon Workman became the first aircraft carrier pilot. CPT. Kathy McDonald of the
Texas Air National Guard became the first female fighter pilot to graduate from the
Guard's six-month F-16 air combat training school at Kingsley Field.
Setting records, hot air balloonist Jetta Schantz, Florida First Coast Chapter,
achieved an altitude record. Jetta exceeded the previous record of 32,572 feet by
1,272 feet, and brought her total national records to 18.
The year 1995 began with Eileen Collins, the first female shuttle pilot, taking off from
Kennedy Space Center for a joint American-Russian space mission. Watching the
launch were the 13 women who had passed the astronaut physical exams 34 years
before.
August 1995 saw several events commemorating the triumphs, sacrifices and
heroism during World War II. To mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day, 120 planes
flew across the US to salute air veterans of WWII. As part of the honors, Barbara
London, the only woman awarded the Air Medal during WWII, was one of 60 women
honored at a USO dinner and dance in Long Beach Hangar. The commander of a
squadron of women ferrying new planes to airfields nationwide, she won the medal
after making four transcontinental flights in five days. The Planes of Fame Museum in
Chino, CA, honored Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) who were drafted into
civilian service to ferry war planes east to be shipped overseas. American women
pilots flew more than 60 million miles during the war. More than 30 women pilots
were killed, yet it wasn't until 1977 that they were finally granted veteran status and
benefits.
January 29, 1996, marked another anniversary — it had been 10 years since the
space shuttle Challenger blew up soon after launch, killing all seven astronauts on
board, including Judith Resnick and Christa McCauliffe. In March, Shannon Lucid
became an official crew member of the Russian Mir space station. Lt. Sarah Deal
became the first female Marine Corps pilot commanding a combat helicopter, the
Super Stallion CH53E.
(6) Jacqueline Cochran and Women Air Force Service Pilots
(7) Helen Richey, first woman commercial pilot, in her WASP uniform
Adapted from:"The Ninety-Nines 1929-1979" By Gene Nora Jessen originally published in 1979 as part of History of The Ninety-Nines, Inc. 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. Established in 1929 by 99 women pilots, the members are represented in all areas of aviation today. And, to quote Amelia, fly “for the fun of it!”
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