The Roaring Twenties saw many new innovations and interests across America. Aviation was quickly gaining the attention of the public as a novelty that was here to stay and would change the way people traveled forever. Women, too, were coming into their own during that decade and were as fascinated with flight as much as their male counterparts, although they weren't as widely accepted. They were even scoffed at by many who felt they weren't capable and should remain at home where women belonged.
Many women, though, were determined and took to the skies in endless competitions for altitude, endurance, and speed records. Early in 1929 there were 75 licensed women pilots in the US, and they had become better acquainted through various competitions. Elizabeth McQueen of the National Women's Aeronautical Association proposed having a National Women's Air Derby similar to the one where men competed. She met with Cliff Harrison in May who was instrumental in founding the race. The National Exchange Club, along with the Cleveland Air Races, organized and sponsored the event that took place in August of 1929.
To qualify, the women had to be licensed, have 100 hours of solo flying experience, 25 hours of which had to be in cross-country flight. Twenty women, including Amelia Earhart, accepted the challenge and gathered in Santa Monica, CA for a race that would last nine days with 17 stops and culminate in Cleveland, OH. There were two classes. One for heavyweight planes; another for the lighter weight ones.
A large and festive crowd, including many notable Hollywood stars, gathered for the start of the race which was a gunshot in Cleveland transmitted by radio to Clover Field in Santa Monica. Will Rogers was on hand as a reporter and quipped that since he'd seen so many pilots powdering their noses, the race ought to be called the Powder Puff Derby. It was a name that stuck.
Starting shot of the Women's Air Race - from http://www.air-racing-history.com/ |
Will Rogers - dubbed the race the Powder Puff Derby - Photo credit: Wiki Commons |
The first leg of the the race was short, only to San Bernardino, but trouble was already brewing that first night when oil was discovered in the gas tanks of two planes. Sabotage was suspected but the next day the race continued. Other acts of presumed sabotage occurred early in the race. The wires between the wings of one entrant's plane broke and it was discovered acid had been poured on them. Another pilot's plane malfunctioned and garbage was found in the carburetor. Some thought an investigation was in order, but the women who by now had developed a strong bond, refused. Led by the colorful and passionate contestant Pancho Barnes, they banded together. If someone was trying to sabotage the race, it would likely be stopped, and the saboteurs would win. All the women agreed they wanted to continue.
Pancho Barnes - Photo Credit: Wiki Commons |
Amelia Earhart - Photo Credit: Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institute |
Banquets were held each evening at the the over-night stops. The women jokingly said they were on the "rubber chicken" circuit because of the unwavering menu. Dressed in flight gear by day, the women donned evening gowns each evening to greet and promote women's aviation on their trek across the country.
Blanche Noyes, one of the women in the 1929 race. Photo credit: The Cleveland Memory Project |
At the Phoenix stop, one woman was unaccounted for. Marvel Crosson, a cheerful young aviatrix from Alaska who'd quickly become a favorite of the other women, never arrived. The next day her plane was discovered crashed in the mountains of Arizona. Marvel didn't survive.
Marvel Crosson |
It was a sobering moment for the women who were more determined than ever to finish.
In El Paso, Texas, the race was temporarily halted due to stormy weather, and the women enjoyed a much-welcomed relaxing evening in the cantinas just across the border in Mexico. While they were there, though, oil magnate, Mr. Halliburton called for the race to stop. ""Women have conclusively proven they cannot fly. Women have been dependent on men for guidance for so long, when they are put to their own resources, they are handicapped."
The women and the organizers were outraged and sent out a quick rebuttal. "We officially thumb out noses at Mr. Halliburton." The race continued, but not without mishaps. Pancho Barnes crashed her plane, the damage irreparable. One women had to drop out when she came down with typhoid fever. Another got lost and landed in a cow pasture somewhere in Oklahoma. She gained her bearings and continued.
Ruth Nichols, one of the race contenders. Photo credit: Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute |
Their efforts were not going unnoticed. 20,000 people met them in Ft. Worth and swarmed the field to get a glimpse of these brave women. By the time they reached Cleveland, a mob had gathered to greet and congratulate the women. Louise Thaden, flying in a heavyweight Travel Air was declared the winner and a shawl of roses placed on her shoulders. Phoebe Omlie won in the lightweight class. That evening more than 5000 people attended a celebratory banquet in a hangar in Cleveland. Some of the world's top aviators and politicians heralded the women for a great race. It was a new era in aeronautical history. Women had taken their place beside men, proven their skills, and demonstrated courage.
The first National Women's Air Race at a glance:
- Dubbed the "Powder Puff Derby" by Will Rogers
- Twenty entrants
- Course from Santa Monica, CA to Cleveland, OH - a 2800 mile race
- 17 stops in 9 days
- One fatality - Marvel Crosson of Alaska
- Fourteen women finished race
- Winners: Louis Thaden (heavyweight class) and Phoebe Omlie (lightweight)
- $8000 in total prizes
I included the National Women's Air Race in my most recent release A Flying Affair. Weaving historical facts into fiction has become a passion that has proved to be both challenging and exhilarating. For more information about the Women's Air Race, I recommend you watch Heather A Taylor's award-winning documentary Breaking Through The Clouds.
Blue Skies!
Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of six novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.” Her 2014 release, The Hatmaker's Heart, was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and the Selah Award. Her newest release is A Flying Affair. Daredevil Mittie Humphreys navigates her heart as well as the skies in this beguiling adventure of grit and determination during the rollicking Roaring Twenties. Learn more about Carla at www.carlastewart.com
Fascinating post, Carla. I've never heard of the women's air race. I imagine it was quite the event back then. Your new book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie. I hadn't heard of it, either, until I started research for A FLYING AFFAIR. They still have the air race, but it's changed a lot - as you can imagine!
DeleteI've always been intrigued by flying airplanes, maybe because my dad was a pilot in WWII. I love the 1920s era, and these women were brave to step into a man's world.
ReplyDeleteDonna, so nice that you have a family connection. Your dad was one of the brave ones, too. Glad that we share a love of the 1920s!
DeleteI enjoy this site so much and liked reading about the lady aviators. They certainly were motivated to stay in and win that race. Sm. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating! I loved learning about the National Women's Air Race and look forward to reading A Flying Affair!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com