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The Ninety-Nines, preserving women in aviation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alixia Alejandro
  • 71st Force Support Squadron
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Since 1910, when Bessica Medlar Raiche took her first backyard flight in her homemade aircraft, women have been part of aviation history.

Since 1929, a women's group called the Ninety-Nines has been preserving that history and is supporting female aviators to this day.

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots, commonly referred to as the 99s, live by their mission statement to "...promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships and mutual support while honoring its unique history and sharing our passions for flight."

Founded Nov. 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Valley Stream, New York, the group is named for the 99 pilots who met there or expressed an interest in forming a group. However, it was not until 1931 that their first president, Amelia Earhart, was elected.

The members of the group are female pilots for airlines, industry and government. They are instructors, technicians, mechanics and women who fly for pleasure.

The 99s promote fellowship through aviation, provide networking and scholarship opportunities for women and preserve the unique history of women in aviation.

The members support the goals of the group by participating in aviation activities such as aviation education seminars and air races.


Their international headquarters is located at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and is home to the 99s Museum of Women Pilots.

The museum houses artifacts that include historical papers, personal items, video and oral histories, photos and memorabilia from famous female aviators and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Notable names among their number are Jackie Cochran, the leader of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots during WWII, and Evelyn "Bobbi" Trout, who in 1929, set three world records in flight, and with the help of Edna May, set an endurance record in 1931 for staying aloft for 122 hours, 50 minutes.

By joining the 99s, professional pilots and student pilots are given the opportunity to be mentored by highly motivated women who can kick start their aviation careers. Members also have the opportunity to become mentors to women seeking to become pilots.

One of these opportunities is the Pro 99s Network, which is an email-based networking forum where members can discuss concerns pertaining to pilot careers, find scholarships or jobs, discuss training issues, and learn how to balance work and family.

Another one is the Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative. The concept of this initiative is to provide mentorship to women pilots and enhance women's leadership roles in the aviation community. Participants complete weekly mentoring sessions and guided activities.

As Team Vance celebrates Women's History Month, take the time to highlight the stories of women in American history. The 99s provide a way to recognize female aviators or their contributions to our Air Force.

For more information on the 99s, visit www.ninety-nines.org.