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St. Louis 99s
History
During the summer of 1940, Florence Boswell, Governor of the North Central
Section, flew to St. Louis. Meeting with some women belonging to the
local flying organization called the NX-II; she learned that five of
them had at least Private Pilot Licenses. She arranged a meeting with
these five ladies to talk to them about joining the Ninety-Nines and
becoming the nucleus of a new chapter.
Early in 1941, those five NX-Is became the Charter Members of the "East
Missouri Chapter." On September 19, 1941, this chapter became the Greater
St. Louis Chapter. The five ladies were: Mrs. Adela (Del) Scharr, Chairman;
Miss Billy Gallagher, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Shirley (Sally) Souttar, Secretary-Treasurer;
Mrs. Adeline (Addle) Gault; and Miss Verna Burke.
Rather than breaking from the "Nixies" (nickname for NX-II), they decided to
meet with them but transact any necessary 99s business privately. By the fall
of 1941, the association with the Nixies proved to be very rewarding for the
East Missouri Chapter. Some of the Nixies, besides wanting to be Private Pilots,
wanted very much to be 99s. As a result the original number of members in the
chapter doubled with the addition of Beryl Edwards, Mary Raymon, Jeanette Geantil,
Lillian (Pat) Ruddy and Laura Sellinger.
World War II greatly curtailed private flying. The Chapter almost dissolved
during those years, as members were lost to the service. Members in the
service of the country included: Pat Ruddy--Army Nurse Corps with the
26th General Hospital in Europe and Africa, Del Scharr--Ferry Command
as a WAFS and later a WASP, Isabel Madison and Jan Champlin--Cadet Training
in Sweetwater, Dolores Meurer and Margaret Needham--Air Training Command,
and Emma Coulter Ware--target towing. Unfortunately, while in the cadet
training program, Jan Champlin lost her life as she and her instructor
were on a dual night cross-country flight. Though not a member of the
chapter yet, Amy Laws served in the Navy.
After the War in September 1946, the Chapter formally reorganized with
a total membership of 14.
The Chapter launched a career in youth aviation education in 1947 with
a 99s sponsored essay contest for senior high school students--"How an
Air Marker Will Benefit the Community and Aviation." The prize, a ten
hour flight training course, was funded by a dance. The chapter has continued
youth oriented aviation education with many projects over the years.
The Chapter, along with members of the Chamber of Commerce, was an active
member of the Aviation Council of Metropolitan St. Louis. As members
of the Council they directed the Air Age Education activities in this
area from 1946 until the late 1950s. The Aviation Council itself became
the Bi-State Commission here.
The year 1948 found the East Missouri Chapter hostessing their first
Section Meeting. It was at the Chase Hotel. Since then, we have hosted
Section
Meetings in 1950, 1954, 1962, 1976, 1984 and 1993. In 1982, the North Central
Section was host to the International Convention. The Greater St. Louis Chapter
was successful in bidding to have the convention in St. Louis at the Marriott
Spanish Pavilion Hotel. With help from other North Central Section chapters,
our chapter was manager to a very successful meeting. This meeting marked a
milestone by being the last International Convention to be planned and managed
by a chapter in the section in which they were held.
By January 1950, the Chapter name had changed to "Greater St. Louis
Chapter" and had grown to 21 members.
The Greater St. Louis Chapter has contributed to the leadership of
the North Central Section through the years. Section officers from our
chapter include: Governors--Amy Laws and Valera Johnson; Vice Governor--Del
Scharr; Secretary--Amy Laws; and Treasurers--Laura Sellinger and Loretta
Slavick. Before coming to the Greater St. Louis Chapter, Dorothy Wheeler
was Governor of the Northwest Section. Many of our chapter members have
served the Section and International organization in various committee
chairman posts. The Section Air Marking Traveling Trophy was named in
honor of Greater St. Louis member Joy Harvey.
In 1960, an outstanding tour of Europe for women pilots was organized and carried
out by LoreMa Slavick. The purpose of the trip was to meet women pilots in
other countries; this they did as guests at seven European Aero Club receptions.
We've had our fair share of outstanding and notable women from all
walks of life and areas of endeavor. LoreMa Slavick was outstandingly
accomplished in the fields of economics, small business and aviation.
Valera Johnson served on Airport Boards in the local area. Nikki Caplin
holds a world record in ballooning for one of her balloon flights. Sue
Matheis flew the Traffic 'Copter (airplane) for a local radio station.
Del Scharr, the eighth woman chosen for the Women's Air Ferry Service,
is also an accomplished author. Nelda Lee, an Aeronautical Engineer and
Flight Test Engineer at McDonnell-Douglas, received the YWCA Women's
Leadership award in Science and Technology in 1993. Dr. Peggy Baty was
the Associate Vice President and Dean of the Department of Aviation of
St. Louis University--Parks College. A number of our members have owned
and operated their own successful small businesses. Yet, the most outstanding
characteristic of the chapter has been the teamwork of getting any job
done as a group.
In the list of Charlie Wells' don'ts is "Don't air race a 99." Many of our
members have flown in air races. A number of our members have flown in the
AWTAR (All Women's Transatlantic Air Race--Powder Puff Derby). However, just
finishing the race seems to be our forte! In the area of proficiency racing
though, we can take pride. First place winners include Jean Lennertson, three-time
winner of the Michigan Small Race and twice a winner of the Indiana FAIR and
Ruth Lake and copilot, Fran Henke, many times winners in the Sky Lady Derby.
In more recent years, we are proud to include more participants in various
air races. They are: Ruth Bohnert, Shirley Deitz, Jan Eveans, Deanne Falduto,
Dorothy Haupt-Spangler, Debbie Klein, Amy Laws, Martha Norman, Jan Pocock,
Lynne Russo, JoAnn Sabo and Laura Brooks.
Aviation scholars in our chapter have included Amelia Earhart Scholarship winners
Mary Pat (Murphy) Montirubio and most recently Laura Brooks. We have had many
finalists in the AE Scholarship Program through the years.
We have Whirly Girls, an organization of women helicopter pilots, among
our members. Three of our Whirly Girls have received the Doris Mullen
Whirly Girl Scholarship. Our Whirly Girl scholars are Sue Mathels, Betty
Board, and Nelda Lee. Another Whirly Girl that was among our ranks was
Val Johnson.
Our chapter is made up of a mix of pilots that range from new Private
Pilots through Air Transport Pilots and they hold a wide variety of ratings.
We are airplane pilots, helicopter pilots, balloon pilots, seaplane pilots,
and glider pilots. We've "wo-maned' air race stops--AWTAR and proficiency.
We have handled the start of the AWTAR and the Commemorative race from
St. Louis to San Diego in 1970. In 1994, we helped handle the start of
the 2400-mile Air Race Classic from St. Louis to Columbus, Ohio. We have
taken part and presented many educational and safety seminars and promoted
air education for young and old alike. In general, there is no question
that the women in the Greater St. Louis Chapter have made continuing
contributions to women in aviation and to our community. There is little
doubt that each member has been extremely proud to be a Ninety-Nine.
As a result of this pride, she has given her all to the organization
and aviation. Our membership stands at about 60 members.
As we look forward to the future of aviation and, especially, the future
of women in aviation, we can also look back at our love for aviation
and flying. Oh, for the love of flying! God has given us wings!
To join the 99s:
First: You must be a woman.
Second: You must be a licensed pilot or student pilot.
Third: You must join the National 99s (that
means pay dues: $65 for pilots, and $35 for Future Women Pilots [students]).
Download an Application for national chapter. On your application, you
must state that you wish to join the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the
99s
Fourth: Then you must join the Greater St. Louis Chapter
of the 99s (and pay more dues, $15 per year for members and $8 per year
for Future Women pilots until you complete your private pilot's license).
Fifth: Attend the meetings, events, and most of all
have fun flying.
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