The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-15

One day last November a dozen wo-
men from various parts of New York
state me in the rooms of the Aero
nautical society at 100 West Fifty
fourth street. New York City. Most
of them We're wives or relatives of
members of the society. II their i'm
terest i'll aeronautics had been quick
ened by attending various meets and
by hearing the problems of aviation
discussed at home.
Out of this meeting grew the first
women's aero club in America, which
is technically known as the Aeronau-
tical Society of Women.
Organization was effected at a sec
ond meeting. which took place a few
days later. and at that time Mrs.
Hugo Cecil Gibson was unanimously
elected president.
1t is perhaps a reflection upon the
interest American are showing
In the marvellous science of aviation
that it should be an English woman
who was chosen for this first official
honor. Yet such is the case, and. it
ma ybe added that the formation of
the society was entirely due to Mrs.
]! Gibson's initiative.
Mrs. Gibson's husband is a consult
ing engineer of distinction and is
keenly interested in the scientific
problems of aviation and in the prac-
tical mechanics of %aeroplane con-
struction. For years he has beer q.
Keen student of this subject. and Mrs.
Gibson has mbibed his enthusiasm.
mr.. Gibson is a director of the
Aeronautioal society and chairman of
Its technical board, and both he and
MS wife had for some time felt a
growing conviction that an %organiza-
ton of women interested in matters
a%eronautical was A distinct need.
There are two organizations of men.
the Aero Club of America and the
Aeronautical society. and 10th stand
ready to extend Inequalities. not
from foreign countries. but to Ameri-
cans who mark advance steps in the
progress of aeronautics.
l., ~ seems Nthat a cOmplementar
BODY of women was needed to adj
vance and protect the interests of wo-
men opponents of the art. to entertain
visiting women from abroad. and to
officially express the appreciation of
American women whenever any mem
Der OF their sex should win honors in
nNlng or in aeronautical construction.
II need was clearly seer by Mrs.
Gibson last fall at the international
aviation meet held at Nassau Boule-
ward. when Miss Moisant won the
Wanamaker trophy for breaking the
aitituue record FOR women.
Why is there not an organization
OF women" she asked. ito do honor
to these ladies and. in behalf of the
women of America. officially pay trib-
ute to their knowledge, skill and dar-
ing?"
Mrs. Gibson asked this question Of
various men connected with the Aero
nautical society. and the instant reply
was: There ought to be and we wish
some one would organize such a club"
So urged. n sponsored by the
Aeronautical society. Mrs. Gibson sent
invitations to women who were known
to be interested in the subject to met
at the rooms Of the society and dis
cuss the matter of organization.
1t should be understood that the
new society is something more than a.
merely social body. One of it's first
aims is to spread a knowledge Of prac-
teal aeronautical questions among it's
members. For this purpose 1t meets
twice a month at ESQ West Fifty
fourth street to listen to lectures from
men OF note in the aviation field. The
members can now talk learnedly of
technical points in the construction Of
various types of flying mcahines. and
they plan to keep abreast of every
new development.