Amazing Women in the Skies
First of a Series
By Rhodeza Mae S. Junio
1. Jacqueline Cochran:
The Barefoot Girl is the Fastest Woman in the Sky
AS a child, she lived in abject poverty. Brought up by her seemingly uncaring poster parents, she never knew who her real parents were. Until at age seven, she had never worn any shoes, while her dresses were sewed from old flour sacks. There was no chance for her to acquire any education. Not knowing when she was born, she just chose her birthday.
Later, a school teacher named Miss Bostwick whom Jacqueline met, taught her how to read. It was also this caring teacher who gave Jacqueline her first dress and taught her the value of hygiene. Still shoeless, she got her first job at age eight, in a cotton mill; earning only two cents a day, for a 12-hour work. When the cotton mills closed down, she found work in Columbus, Georgia at a hairdressing salon.
As an adult, she became interested in aviation. She tried her best to be hired as an airline stewardess, even without any salary, in exchange for learning how to fly and later, be given a chance to take over the plane’s controls. Later she received formal training especially in instrument flying. She first took the air in 1932, earning her license in that year, after only three weeks. In 1934, she established her own cosmetics business.
She was married to Floy Odlum, a man of wealth and influence. But Jackie’s ardent desire to escape from the clutches of poverty started when she was still a child.
In 1935 she participated in the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race for the first time and won the race. In 1938, she won the transcontinental speed record. At one time, Jackie held more than 200 U.S. national aviation records.
In World War II, she served as flight captain in the British Transport Auxiliary, after recruiting 25 women pilots in the U.S. For her achievements during the War, she received the Distinguished Silver Medal in 1945.
In 1953, Jackie set a new world record by being the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, aboard an F-86 Sabre fighter plane. In 1963, she piloted a Lockheed TF-104G Super Starfighter to a new 100-km closed circuit world speed record. In 1964, she outdid herself and reached 1,429 mph setting a new women’s world speed record.
Because of her outstanding achievements in the field of aviation, this rags-to-riches pilot became favorite guests of Presidents and Monarchs in many countries around the world.
Among her numerous achievements include being the first living woman enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame; rescuing Lyndon Johnson from death, and convincing Gen. Dwight Eisenhower to run for office.
On August 8, 1980, at the age of 74, the aviation world mourned the death of this daring pilot who proved to the world that poverty is not a hindrance to success and that women can equal or even surpass the formidable achievements of men.
In her message to the youth, Jacqueline wrote in her autobiography, “If you will… pour in the fuel of work and still more work, you will likely to go places and do things.”
Reference: Mondey, David, WOMEN IN THE AIR, Silver Burdett Co., Morriston, New Jersey, USA, 1981
1. Jacqueline Cochran:
The Barefoot Girl is the Fastest Woman in the Sky
AS a child, she lived in abject poverty. Brought up by her seemingly uncaring poster parents, she never knew who her real parents were. Until at age seven, she had never worn any shoes, while her dresses were sewed from old flour sacks. There was no chance for her to acquire any education. Not knowing when she was born, she just chose her birthday.
Later, a school teacher named Miss Bostwick whom Jacqueline met, taught her how to read. It was also this caring teacher who gave Jacqueline her first dress and taught her the value of hygiene. Still shoeless, she got her first job at age eight, in a cotton mill; earning only two cents a day, for a 12-hour work. When the cotton mills closed down, she found work in Columbus, Georgia at a hairdressing salon.
As an adult, she became interested in aviation. She tried her best to be hired as an airline stewardess, even without any salary, in exchange for learning how to fly and later, be given a chance to take over the plane’s controls. Later she received formal training especially in instrument flying. She first took the air in 1932, earning her license in that year, after only three weeks. In 1934, she established her own cosmetics business.
She was married to Floy Odlum, a man of wealth and influence. But Jackie’s ardent desire to escape from the clutches of poverty started when she was still a child.
In 1935 she participated in the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race for the first time and won the race. In 1938, she won the transcontinental speed record. At one time, Jackie held more than 200 U.S. national aviation records.
In World War II, she served as flight captain in the British Transport Auxiliary, after recruiting 25 women pilots in the U.S. For her achievements during the War, she received the Distinguished Silver Medal in 1945.
In 1953, Jackie set a new world record by being the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, aboard an F-86 Sabre fighter plane. In 1963, she piloted a Lockheed TF-104G Super Starfighter to a new 100-km closed circuit world speed record. In 1964, she outdid herself and reached 1,429 mph setting a new women’s world speed record.
Because of her outstanding achievements in the field of aviation, this rags-to-riches pilot became favorite guests of Presidents and Monarchs in many countries around the world.
Among her numerous achievements include being the first living woman enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame; rescuing Lyndon Johnson from death, and convincing Gen. Dwight Eisenhower to run for office.
On August 8, 1980, at the age of 74, the aviation world mourned the death of this daring pilot who proved to the world that poverty is not a hindrance to success and that women can equal or even surpass the formidable achievements of men.
In her message to the youth, Jacqueline wrote in her autobiography, “If you will… pour in the fuel of work and still more work, you will likely to go places and do things.”
Reference: Mondey, David, WOMEN IN THE AIR, Silver Burdett Co., Morriston, New Jersey, USA, 1981