Elder, Ruth, 1902-1977
Dates
- Existence: 1902 - 1977
Biographical Note
Ruth Elder (1902-1977) was an early American aviatrix and pilot. She was known as "Miss America of the Air" and was a charter member of the Ninety-Nines.
In 1927, she attempted to become the first woman pilot to finish a transatlantic flight, with her co-pilot George Haldeman. Mechanical problems caused them to ditch the plane 360 miles from the Azores, but they established a new over-water endurance flight record of 2,623 miles. At that time, it was the longest flight ever made by a woman. After the attempt, she made many public appearances and earned a movie contract.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Dorothy (Hester) Stenzel Collection
Dorothy (Hester) Stenzel (1910-1991) was born in Ardenwald, Oregon and learned to fly in the late 1920s. Stenzel then gained fame for stunt flying and broke several records through the mid-1930s. The collection contains seven (7) scrapbooks and assorted textual materials and photographs that document Stenzel's career as one of the first female stunt pilots.
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