Biographical Note: Mildred Filz Merrill

Mildred Edna (Filz) Merrill (1898-1908) was a Seattle native, an early female pilot and one of the founding members of the Associated Women Pilots of Boeing Field.

Merrill was born on July 7, 1898 in Seattle, Washington to Frank J. and Amelia E. (Hussey) Filz. She graduated from Franklin High School and the University of Washington.

She earned a private pilot's license, circa 1932, from Washington Aviation Co. Inc. co-founder and pilot A. Elliott Merrill, whom she later married on September 30, 1936 in Seattle, Washington. In 1933, she helped found the Associated Women Pilots of Boeing Field. At various times she served as the club's secretary, treasurer, and publicity chairman. Circa 1934-1936, Merrill worked as a stenographer for her husband at Boeing Field. On May 19, 1938, as part of National Air Mail Week events, she became an air mail pilot for the day, and flew the mail route between Olympia and Seattle. In 1952, the Merrills moved to Wichita, Kansas for A. Elliott Merrill's work as chief of flight testing for the Boeing B-47 bomber program. The couple relocated back to Seattle in 1956. Details about her later life are sparse.

Merrill was a member of the Seattle chapters of the Ninety-Nines and the National Aeronautical Association. She also enjoyed playing bridge. Mildred E. (Filz) Merrill died on December 1, 1980 in Seattle, Washington.

Occupations

• Women air pilots

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