Bessie Raiche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bessica Faith Raiche
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| Born | April 1875 near Beloit, Wisconsin
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| Died | April 11, 1932 |
| Occupation | Dentist, businesswoman, and physician |
| Spouse(s) | François "Frank" C. Raiche |
| Children | Catherine E. Raiche |
| Parent(s) | Elizabeth and James B. Medlar |
Bessica Faith Raiche (born Medlar), also known as Bessie Raiche, was an amazing American businesswoman, dentist, and doctor. She was born in April 1875 and passed away on April 11, 1932.
Bessica Raiche was the second woman in the United States to fly an airplane by herself. This was a huge achievement! Even though another American woman, Blanche Scott, flew 11 days earlier, Bessica's flight was special because she had never been taught how to fly before. She just did it!
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About Bessica Raiche
Bessie Faith Medlar was born in April 1875 near Beloit, Wisconsin. Her mother, Elizabeth, was from New Hampshire, and her father, James B. Medlar, was from New York.
Bessica was a very modern woman for her time. She drove a car and wore bloomers, which were a type of pants. She was also a talented musician, painter, and could speak several languages. She loved sports like swimming and shooting. In 1900, she worked as a dentist. Later, she became a doctor.
Building an Airplane
Bessica married François "Frank" C. Raiche, and they moved to Mineola, New York. Together, they decided to build their own Wright-style biplane. They actually built parts of it in their living room! Then, they put it all together in their yard.
They used bamboo and silk for their plane. This was different from the Wright brothers, who used heavier canvas. Using lighter materials was a smart idea that helped their plane fly better.
Her Historic Flight
On September 16, 1910, Bessica Raiche flew her homemade plane at Hempstead Plains, New York. This was the second time a woman in the United States flew an airplane by herself. The Aeronautical Society of America officially recognized her flight.
Even though Blanche Scott had flown solo 11 days earlier, Bessica got a lot of attention. She explained why: "Blanche deserved the credit, but I got more attention because of my lifestyle. I drove a car and loved sports like shooting and swimming. I even wore riding pants. People who didn't know me well sometimes didn't understand this. I was a musician, painter, and linguist. I just wanted to enjoy life and be myself."
On October 13, 1910, Bessica was given a special gold medal. It had diamonds and said "First Woman Aviator in America." This was from Hudson Maxim of the Aeronautical Society of America.
Innovators in Aviation
Bessica and her husband continued to build more airplanes. They started a company called the French-American Aeroplane Company. They were very creative in using lighter materials for aircraft. For example, they used piano wire instead of heavier iron wire. This made their planes lighter and more efficient.
Later Life and Medical Career
In 1915, Bessica and Frank had a daughter named Catherine. By 1920, the Raiches were living in Newport Beach, California. Bessica became a doctor. She was one of the first women in the United States to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, which focuses on women's health and childbirth. Frank became a lawyer.
In 1923, Bessica was even the president of the Orange County Medical Association. She was a leader in the medical field.
Bessica Raiche passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 11, 1932, in Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California. She had a heart attack. Bessica Raiche was a true pioneer who broke barriers in both aviation and medicine.
