Fly Girls

1. Early Aviation Was Perilous and Primitive

In 1926, there were countless ways to die in an airplane.

Flying was dangerous. Early airplanes were fragile machines made of wood and fabric, prone to mechanical failures like snapping propeller blades, failing wings, or engines stopping midflight. Bad weather made flying nearly impossible, disorienting pilots and turning raindrops into painful projectiles.

Lack of regulation. The fledgling aircraft industry had few required regulations for plane builders or instructors, leading to "slovenly methods" in cockpits. Crashes were frequent, killing or injuring hundreds annually, and investigators often struggled to determine the cause of these often fiery wrecks.

Risky business. Despite the dangers, the industry promoted flying through air races, hoping to create heroes and positive news. These races, while exciting, were often fatal, highlighting the extreme risks pilots faced every time they took to the sky in these unreliable machines.

2. Lindbergh's Flight Ignited Air Fever, Excluding Women

Too risky for discerning men and, according to many men and the media, no place at all for women.

Air races grew. The National Air Races became a major spectacle, attracting large crowds and offering significant prize money, notably the Bendix Trophy race. These events tested speed, strength, and skill, captivating an air-minded nation.

Women faced exclusion. Despite the growing excitement, female pilots were largely dismissed and mocked, called "petticoat pilots" or "girl fliers." Society and laws limited women's roles, making their entry into the male-dominated aviation world a significant challenge met with criticism and insults.

Lindbergh's triumph. Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight in 1927 captivated the world and intensified air fever. His success, however, reinforced the image of the heroic male aviator, further marginalizing the few women who dared to fly and compete.

3. Early Female Transatlantic Attempts Faced Peril and Prejudice

Either way, Elder was about to prove two points: a woman with a good plane and a bold plan was impossible to ignore—and easy to disparage.

Ruth Elder's bold attempt. Four months after Lindbergh, Ruth Elder sought to be the first woman to fly the Atlantic, attracting immense media attention. Despite her determination and a colorful plane, she faced relentless scrutiny and criticism, with reporters questioning her motives and personal life.

Frances Grayson's tragic fate. Another woman, Frances Grayson, also planned a transatlantic flight, seen as the opposite of Elder but equally determined. Despite her experience and a sturdy flying boat, her attempt ended in disappearance over the ocean, adding to the growing death toll of transatlantic flights.

High risks, high stakes. These early attempts highlighted the extreme dangers of ocean flying, with numerous crashes and fatalities among both men and women. While men's failures were often framed as heroic sacrifices, women's attempts were frequently dismissed as reckless stunts, fueling prejudice against female pilots.

4. The First Women's Air Derby Proved Skill and Revealed Danger

The matter was settled in a way that Marvel Crosson would have appreciated.

A historic race. In 1929, the first National Women's Air Derby, dubbed the "Powder Puff Derby" by the press, brought together female pilots like Louise Thaden, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, and Florence Klingensmith to race across the country. The race was a significant step towards proving women's capabilities in aviation.

Challenges and mishaps. The derby was fraught with problems, including forced landings, mechanical failures, and allegations of sabotage. Pilots faced sandstorms, rough fields, and the physical toll of long-distance flying in open cockpits.

Tragedy strikes. The race was marred by the death of Florence Klingensmith's friend, Marvel Crosson, who crashed between stops. This fatality, along with other incidents, fueled criticism that women were not capable of handling the rigors of competitive flying, despite the women's resilience and skill demonstrated throughout the race.

5. Women Pilots Organized to Fight Discrimination

We believe," Earhart said, "that such an organization might become influential and powerful."

Forming the Ninety-Nines. Following the 1929 derby, female pilots recognized the need for mutual support and advocacy. They formed an organization, initially called the Ninety-Nines based on the number of charter members, to protect their interests and promote women in aviation.

Pushing for equality. The Ninety-Nines aimed to challenge stereotypes and open opportunities for women in all aspects of aviation, from flying to mechanics and engineering. They sought respect and recognition for their skills and contributions.

Facing resistance. Despite their efforts, women continued to face significant barriers in the male-dominated industry. They were often relegated to publicity roles rather than flying jobs and struggled to secure funding and access to competitive planes.

6. Cliff Henderson Banned Women from Air Races

"Miss Florence Klingensmith’s fatal crash in Chicago in 1933, in a closed-course race, only proved what I already knew," he declared.

Growing fatalities. The National Air Races continued to be dangerous, with multiple crashes and deaths among male pilots in the early 1930s. These tragedies, while alarming, did not lead to a ban on men's participation.

Klingensmith's fatal crash. In 1933, Florence Klingensmith died in a pylon race against men, crashing her Gee Bee plane after a wing failed. Despite evidence of structural failure, her death was used by some, including race promoter Cliff Henderson, to argue that women were inherently unsuited for high-speed racing.

The ban is imposed. Citing safety concerns and Klingensmith's death as justification, Cliff Henderson and other race organizers banned women from competing in the National Air Races, relegating them to non-flying roles like parachute jumping. This decision sparked outrage among female pilots.

7. Women Fought Back Against the Ban

We who fly cannot recognize sex," Nichols said.

Outrage and protest. The ban ignited a fierce backlash from the Ninety-Nines and individual female pilots. They publicly denounced Henderson's decision as discriminatory and unjust, arguing that men faced similar risks and fatalities without being banned.

Demanding inclusion. The women demanded equal opportunities to compete in all races, including high-speed and cross-country events, based on skill, not gender. They highlighted their qualifications and past achievements to counter the arguments against their participation.

Pressure mounts. Through editorials, letters, and public statements, the women and their allies, including some male reporters, pressured race organizers to reverse the ban. They argued that excluding women was detrimental to the progress of aviation as a whole.

8. Ruth Nichols Faced Repeated Setbacks and Tragedy

Ruth Nichols—the famous flier and survivor—had committed suicide at age fifty-nine, overdosing on her pills.

Persistent ambition. Ruth Nichols, despite numerous setbacks including crashes and financial difficulties, remained determined to achieve aviation milestones, particularly a solo transatlantic flight. She tirelessly sought funding and opportunities, facing repeated rejections.

Series of mishaps. Nichols endured multiple crashes and near-fatal incidents, including a fiery crash in Louisville and a severe crash in New Brunswick that left her with broken vertebrae. These events drained her resources and stalled her ambitions.

A tragic end. Despite her resilience and later achievements in aviation, Nichols struggled with depression and financial problems in her later life. Her story, marked by ambition and repeated misfortune, ended tragically with her suicide, a stark contrast to the public image of the fearless aviator.

9. Amelia Earhart Achieved Solo Ocean Fame

You beat me to it for a second time," she told Earhart, as gracious as ever, "but it was a splendid job."

First transatlantic as cargo. Amelia Earhart's 1928 transatlantic flight, arranged by George Putnam, made her famous but left her feeling like "baggage." This experience fueled her desire to achieve a solo ocean flight on her own terms.

Solo triumphs. In 1932, Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, solidifying her status as a global icon. She followed this with the first solo flight across the Pacific from Hawaii to California in 1935, further demonstrating her skill and courage.

Global recognition. Earhart's solo flights brought her immense fame, lecture tours, and financial opportunities, orchestrated largely by George Putnam. While some questioned her flying abilities or motives, her achievements were undeniable and inspired many, even rivals like Ruth Nichols.

10. Florence Klingensmith Challenged Men, Paying the Ultimate Price

The men," one reporter said, "should be on guard against Florence Klingensmith."

Rising star. Florence Klingensmith, a daring pilot from the northern plains, emerged as a formidable competitor in the early 1930s, setting records and winning races, including the first Amelia Earhart Trophy. She was determined to prove women could compete directly with men.

Challenging the men. In 1933, Klingensmith entered the Phillips Trophy race, a high-speed pylon race against male pilots, becoming the first woman to do so. She flew a dangerous Gee Bee plane, known for its speed but also its structural issues.

Fatal crash. Klingensmith died during the race when her Gee Bee's wing failed, sending her plane into a fatal dive. Despite evidence of mechanical failure, her death was used to reinforce arguments against women participating in dangerous air races, contributing to their temporary ban.

11. Louise Thaden's Bendix Win Shattered the Glass Ceiling

So," Beech said, "a woman couldn’t win, eh?"

Return to racing. After years focused on family and air-marking, Louise Thaden accepted an offer from Olive Ann Beech to fly a Beechcraft in the 1936 Bendix race, a prestigious transcontinental speed dash dominated by men. She partnered with Blanche Noyes, another veteran female pilot.

Against the odds. Despite facing faster planes piloted by legendary male aviators like Benny Howard and Roscoe Turner, and overcoming mechanical issues and bad weather, Thaden and Noyes flew a strategic and consistent race. They avoided risks and focused on safe, steady progress.

Historic victory. Thaden and Noyes won the Bendix race, beating all male competitors and setting a new women's transcontinental speed record. Their victory was a landmark achievement, proving unequivocally that women could compete and win against the best male pilots in the most challenging races, effectively breaking the ban on women in high-speed competition.

12. The Fly Girls Left a Complex Legacy

They outlived Earhart, these women, but each was forgotten in her own way.

Earhart's enduring myth. Amelia Earhart's disappearance during her 1937 world flight attempt cemented her legendary status, but also overshadowed the achievements of her contemporaries. Her unsolved fate fueled myths that persist today, often eclipsing the real stories of other female pioneers.

Forgotten pioneers. Despite their significant contributions to aviation and the fight for gender equality, many of the other "fly girls," like Ruth Nichols, Ruth Elder, and Louise Thaden, faded from public memory. They faced personal struggles, financial difficulties, and the challenge of finding purpose after their flying careers ended.

Lasting impact. The collective efforts and sacrifices of these women paved the way for future generations of female pilots and challenged societal norms about women's capabilities. Their fight for inclusion in aviation mirrored broader struggles for gender equality, leaving a legacy that extended beyond the cockpit.

Last updated: May 22, 2025