Lyceum & Book Club - Week 34 - March 9,1947 - “For and About Women”

The Miami Herald March 9,1947 edition had a section (do not know if this was a regular section or not) on page 8-A with the banner “For and About Women”

Under that banner were 4 articles with huge photos included on the page.

The following captions accompanied the photos:

X Marks the spot - Tampa - where the first all-woman air show will be held March 15-16. Former WASP Lenora Horton and Gladys Pennington, vice-chairman of Florida Ninety-Nines, show sponsors, are seen checking route chart.

Piloting a bit in the Race scheduled for this particular aircraft will be Kaddy Landry, left, pictured talking over the forthcoming air show with Caro Bayley, center, and Mildred Caldwell, right. All three are former WASPS. Miss Landry will be flying a BT owned by Air Carrier Engine Service,Inc.

Discussion of Air Show Plans Interests Mrs. Dan C. McRae, left, member of Ninety-Nines national board of directors and chairman of the Amelia Earhart scholarship fund; also Theresa Ricou, Mrs. Royce M. Powell, aviation chairman, Dad Federation of Women’s Clubs; Verna Burke and Anne Ross, who will fly the Ercoupe in Tampa.

Inspecting one of the prizes to be distributed to air race winners are Lauren Lord and Evelyn Keelan. Appropriately enough, this trophy is a piece of Amelia Earhart luggage. These two fliers were hostesses to Miami Ninety-Nines for their final meeting prior to the Tampa meet. The Ninety-Nines is the only licensed women’s pilots’ organization.

Finance Chairman, Caryl Jones, will be doing “double duty” at the all-woman air show. Besides keeping track of scholarship contributions, she also will demonstrate ships (planes) belonging to fund contributors. She is seen above in the bow of a Seabee Amphibian, based at Chapman field.

Banner Headline in middle of page - Skywriting Another First

Article Headline: Ninety-Nines Stage All- Woman Air Show ‘Over’ Tampa Field

Florida Ninety-Nines will be skywriting another first on the Tampa “ceiling” this coming weekend. These feminine fliers are sponsoring the first all-woman air show in aviation history, with Miami Ninety-Nines comprising the committees in charge of arrangements.

“Lead pilot” - or general chairman - for all activities scheduled is Gladys Pennington. Financial end of the meet will be handled by Caryl Jones. Proceeds go to the Amelia Earhart Scholarship Fund which has as its aim “aid to deserving women pilots who wish to further their training.”

Aviation Ball

Air show secretary is Caro Bayley while Ruth Walker has been placed in charge of housing. Entertainment, including her Aviation Ball in the Tampa Terrace Hotel Saturday, is being planned by Dorthy Ebersbach. Airport committee is Ruth Hubert. Public relations is the “business” of Betty Skelton and Irma Price for this event; ATA and transportation, Peggy Lenox.

Verna Burke has been assigned the task of microphone reporting for the air races.

Event No. 1 on the program is the transcontinental race - in two sections, commercial and open. Palm Springs airport in California is take-off site for these flights. Starting date for the commercial section, limited to NCD manufacturers stock model ships (planes) of 250 h.p. or less, is March 12; for the open section, March 14.

Sunrise Takeoff

Dianna Cyrus, Santa Paula, Cal., will be among those leaving Palm Springs at Sunrise March 14. She will fly her A-26 twin-engine ship (plane), an attack bomber built by Douglas.

Planning to come from Washington,D.C. to enter the Military Pilots BT 13 races, is Janet Lee Hutchinson. This event has been closed to all but former WASPS and women members of the ATA.

The Military Pilots, who only recently opened their membership to feminine flyers, will sponsor a trophy and purse for the BT winner.

The free-for-all stipulates that ships (planes) participating maintain a cruising speed of 125 miles per hour. Conventional 65 h.p. craft may enter the handicap race.

Seeks Record

Florida Ninety-NInes will vie with one another in the Bertram Trophy race, which is open to 65 h.p. cubs.

Marge Murlburt, Painesville, Ohio, winner of the Halley Trophy races for AT-6s at the Cleveland National Air Races, will attempt attempt to break the international speed record for women at the Peter O. Knight airport in Tampa Sunday.

Concluding the program on this day will be the aerobatic competition.

Joining spectators for the first all-woman air show will be Mrs. Amy Ottis Earhart, mother of Amelia Earhart, one of the founders of the Ninety-Nines. A group of charter members of the organization will accompany Mrs. Earhart, who will travel here- by plane, of course - from her home in Boston.

The manufacturers of Amelia Earhart luggage are contributing a traveling case as a trophy.

Winifred Wood, author of “We were WASPS,” expects to attend the show, too. Daughter of the George Woods, Coral Gables, she will fly in from New York and is looking forward to reunions with Floridians who were based at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Tex.

Play Leading Role

Dorothy Swain, who illustrated Miss Wood’s book and others who played leading roles in her story, will be mingling with the throng at the Tampa show.

Many former WASPS, as well as women flying instructors and housewives who merely “fly for fun” will be competing in the races.