We were not taken seriously in that role by most of those present. It was impressed upon us that we were 'ladies'. And, as ladies, we were required to wear dresses. My mother, Ethal Jones, made the red and white shifts that Joanne an I wore. I had never done that.
Participation often depends on sponsorship.
Armida approached a public relations vice-president of Western Air Lines. He tried to convince his company they should sponsor Joanne Aiello and her copilot Armida. Western declined, saying the route of the race did not coincide with Western's regular route. Fortunately, Joanne's plane, a Beechcraft Debonair 33, was paid for. Since they did not have to rent a plane, they decided they could afford to enter and they began the lengthy task of filing applications in quadruplicate.