 The SW Section of the "99 Club" was formed in 1930, with Gladys O'Donnell as Governor. On March 2, 1932, the Section was divided into two: Bay Cities Chapter and Los Angeles Chapter. The first LA Chairman was Esther Johnson.By 1937 the chapter has a club room at Mines Field, which later became Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Lauretta Schimmoler started Aerial Nurse Corps of America; Cecile Hamilton gave ground school training with Women's Air Reserve; Peggy Fuller Dorst was first woman on Pacific coast to receive an instrument rating; Viola Neill outfitted a Stinson for hospital service. During the war years, there was little chapter activity because the members were working with WASP, instructing for CPT, ferrying for ATA in England, Etc. On March 12, 1947, Carolyn West and Beatrice Medes flew an Ercoupe to win the first AWTAR - they were the only finishers! In 1948, Mardo Crane, Chairman, trail blazed the "Jacqueline Cochran Cross County Race" to Miami. The LA Chapter has always had a great interest in racing, with many members generally placing in the top ten. In November, 1951, members voted to divide into three chapters, Long Beach and San Fernando Valley splitting off geographically.
|
