Evening star., 1947-02-23

A first" which promises to be
an outstanding affair in the annals
of women's organizational events, is
the all-women's aviation banquet to
be held by three women's aviation
groups on March 10 at the May
flower Hotel.
The affair will bring together
members of the Washington chap
ters of three of the most famous
women's aviation organizations in
the country, the WASPS, the Wom-
en- Flyers of America and the 99s
the last named having been founded
by that famous, greatly admired
aviatrix Amelia Earhart and go
other pioneer women flyers, with IL
censed pilots the only ones qualified
for membership.
Designed to bring together the
women in Washington who are con-
nected with aviation and to focus
attention of Washingtonians on this
group of progressive, air-minded
young women whose air exploits
have been both dramatic and in
spring, the banquet will have as
honor guests many distinguished
persons in the field of aviation and
aeronautics.
"Kick- off" for Events.
It will also serve as 'kick-off' in
a series of events planned by the
women's aviation groups to aid in
establishing a down town landing
strip for the Nations Capital
Perhaps no group of women gave
more efficient service to the Nation
during the days of its streamlined
training program which produced
the greatest air force the world has
ever seen than the WASPS, the
women's air force service pilots. This
plucky group of young women,
which volunteered for some OF the
toughest jobs assigned in the avia-
ton training program, also got a
tough deaP' when they were deac-
tivated from service in 1914 after
two years Of loyal service, without
reserve status. without CT bill,
without insurance or compensation
for disabilities and without priorltieS
for new or old civil service jobs,
To help each other. the WASPS
formed their own veteran organiza-
ton known as the Order of Fiflnella
at Maxwell Field. Ala, as soon as
they received word they were to be
deactived. Today out Of l,074 rated
WASPS, there are now close to 900
FiflnellaS in chapters throughout
the country. Almost 40 per cent of
those who flew for the Army are
still flying commercially while about
80 former WASPS are now operat-
ing their own airports. At nearby
Annapolis, two Fifinellas are operat-
ing the airport. Many of the girls
are instructors for veterans studying
under the CT Bill of Rights, denied
to these girls who also served their
country so we'll. Other WASPS are
working with the NAA, acting as
inspectors of airports from the
safety angle and granting certifl-
Gates to the airports which qualify.
Out of the 40 members of the Wash
ington chapter, of which Miss Mary
McFadden, is chairman, three are
link instructors, four are flying in
structors, one is a distributor for
CESSNA, one is flying for the Air
Marking Division of the CAA while
the rest are in affiliated jobs with
aviation.
Members of the 99s.
Many of the WASPS are also
members of the 99s, which has over
1,100 members. Among the Wash
ington members of this organization,
whose local chapter is chairmaned
by Miss Jean Ross Howard, one is
flying for an aviation insurance
company and one is flying for an
aircraft manufacturer, while all are
striving to make women more air
minded and to prove that flying is
safe, easy and feminine.
The Washington Chapter of the
Women Flyers of America, organized
In 1941, one year after the founding
of the national organization, has a
membership of about Al women with
Miss Celia Kaler as chairman. The
national organization has about 900