“The 99s was founded…. when… Amelia called for a meeting of female pilots in 1929 following the Women's Air Derby”(see Chairman’s Message below)
Chairman’s Message
By Susan Steeb
Since there are so many of us that are new to the SLO99s or the 99s in general, I thought it might be interesting to talk a bit about our history.
The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots, also known as The 99s, started with Amelia Earhart who, ironically, received her pilot certificate on 5/16/1923…..96 years ago!
Amelia was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She received the United States Distinguished Flying Cross for this accomplishment. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The 99s. In 1935, Earhart became a visiting faculty member at Purdue University as an adviser to aeronautical engineering and a career counselor to women students. She was also a member of the National Woman's Party and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. She embodied what The 99s strive to be today!
The 99s, was founded on November 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, by 26 licensed women pilots for the mutual support and advancement of women pilots. Amelia called for a meeting of female pilots in 1929 following the Women's Air Derby. All 117 women pilots licensed at the time were invited, and the group is named for the 99 who attended the meeting.
The 99s is headquartered at the 99s Museum of Women Pilots at Will Rogers World Aviation Airport in Oklahoma City, custodian of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas and custodian of The Ninety-Nines Endowment Fund.
Today, The 99s, is an international organization that provides networking, mentoring, and flight scholarship opportunities to recreational and professional female pilots, supporting numerous aviation activities, including: aviation education seminars in the community, air racing, from the Powder Puff Derby to the Palms to Pines and the Air Race Classic; and airmarking by volunteering time to paint airport names, compass rose symbols and other identifications on airports and the National Intercollegiate Flying Association(NIFA).
Airmarking: Tennessee Chapter 99s
Membership is available to female pilots or student pilots holding a current student pilot certificate. Apply at https://www.ninety-nines.org/membership-application.htm. Once you are a member of the International 99s, you are eligible to join a chapter. We are the SLO99 chapter are currently have 28 registered members.
October 1, 1969 date is the official Charter date for the San Luis Obispo County Ninety-Nines with 16 members. A formal chartering ceremony was held on January 17, 1970 at the Madonna Inn with a total of 20 ladies officially sworn in as charter members.
The Chapter has hosted many fundraisers over the years: booths at airport days, SLO Derby Air Race, banquets featuring guest speakers; hot dog booths; ice cream carts; airplane wash; airplane rides at Good Neighbor Day and Airport Day and has also held a media day. The Chapter has been very involved with air-marking the county airports, education, Direct Relief Flights; Flying Companion Seminar, sponsors FAA safety seminars. Also serves yearly“cookies to the tower”, fire station, FBOs, during Christmas. Some of our current activities include the Discovery Flight Program, Monthly Fly-outs and Fundraising activities to support our Discovery Flight Program and our Scholarships.
Our big event this year is playing host to the SW Section meeting October 3-6th. There are 155 chapters and 27 sections across the planet. The SW Section is comprised of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii and make up about 25% of the worldwide 99 population with 56 chapters and 1,600 members. We hope to host 60 aircraft and 150 attendees.
Let’s follow in Amelia’s footsteps and continue to embrace mutual support and advancement of women pilots. Join Us!
NEEDED: Web Master Volunteer
We are in need of a website refresh. We have a list of suggested updates from an experienced webmaster but we need a volunteer who has the background to make these changes. Anyone interested can contact Susan Steeb.
Bringing Hope… With Airplanes
By Susan Steeb
I love the flying community. Some of us choose to do some awesome things with our flying to help or improve the lives of others. Here is a story of Brian Kelly and his non-profit to provide supply assistance to hurricane-affectedareas in the Southeast.
Brian and Robert and part of a group of Oshkosh attendees that gather each year and camp together. 4 years ago Erik and I were invited to camp with this group, called the Pirates of the North Forty. I look forward to catching up with these and other incredible pilots each Oshkosh.
Attending: Jolie Lucas, Tish Allan-Jacobs, Anna Vojvoda, Willow Bailey, Dana Davis, Maureen Sherwood, Grace Crittenden, Theresa Theiler, Susan Steeb, Liz Ruth, Carla Cary, Erin Ayers, Jill Drexhage, Janice Odell, Elizabeth Dinan, Anele Brooks, Ellen Banakis, Haidee Jezek, Kate Kessler, Rose McCarver, and Cat Cage.
Susan Steeb brought the meeting to order and announced that October will be the 50th Anniversary of our Chapter. She passed a scrapbook around documenting the early years of the San Luis Obispo County Chapter.
We all welcomed Ellen Banakis to the meeting and let her know how much we enjoyed and miss her voice in the tower.
Liz Ruth announced a $3,000 donation from ACI for our Scholarship Fund. We will be awarding two scholarships in June. Information about our scholarship is available on our website(slo99s.org). She also reviewed sources for additional scholarships, including: Orange County 99s, Women in Aviation, Karen Johnson Solo Scholarship, AOPA. There are people available who will help applicants apply. She also reviewed the requirements for our scholarship: applicants must be at least 17, have 10 hours toward the rating or certificate within the past 3 months, passed the written exam and hold a current medical. One additional scholarship will be awarded in October.
Chairman’s Message
NEEDED: Web Master Volunteer
Bringing Hope… With Airplanes
Minutes of the General Meeting (5/1/2019)
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