Ninety-Nines facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Ninety-Nines, Inc.

Formation	November 2, 1929; 95 years ago (1929-11-02)
Founded at	Valley Stream, New York
Type	International Organization of Women Pilots
Headquarters	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Membership	~6,100

The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots, also known as The 99s, is a group for female pilots from all over the world. It helps women pilots connect, learn from each other, and get scholarships for flight training.

This organization was started in 1929. As of 2022, it has 153 local groups and 27 larger regional sections globally. There's even an "Ambassador 99s" group that meets online for busy members.

Amelia Earhart, a very famous pilot, was elected as the first president in 1931. The Ninety-Nines have greatly supported women in aviation ever since. They have received many awards for their work, including the Spirit of Flight Award in 1982 and induction into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 2014.

History of the Ninety-Nines

In August 1929, a small group of women pilots met in Cleveland, Ohio. They had just finished the first Women's Air Derby race in the United States. They all agreed that women pilots needed their own organization to support each other.

Invitations were sent to all 117 licensed female pilots at that time. On November 2, 1929, the organization officially began. It was founded at Curtiss Field near Valley Stream, New York. Twenty-six licensed female pilots were there to start the group.

Amelia Earhart suggested the name. It came from the number of charter members who responded by Christmas. That's how they became "The Ninety-Nines."

Who Can Join the Ninety-Nines?

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is a non-profit organization. Its main goal is to promote friendship through flying. It also offers networking and scholarships for women in aviation. The group helps teach people about aviation and keeps the history of women in aviation alive.

As of 2017, there were 5,159 members in 30 countries. The organization is divided into "sections" that cover large geographic areas. Smaller "chapters" often represent cities or metropolitan areas within these sections.

Founding Members

The first members who helped start the organization are called charter members. Some of them include:

Margaret Thomas "Tommy" Warren was a charter member. She believes she was the youngest, joining at just 17 years old. She attended the second meeting in December 1929 and represented Texas.

Other Famous Members

Many other well-known women pilots have been members of the Ninety-Nines. Here are a few:

Ninety-Nines' Historical Work

Members of the Ninety-Nines have worked hard to record and share the history of women in aviation. Virginia Thompson, who joined in 1954, was a key person in these efforts. She became the first historian for her section and helped start the Washington D.C. Chapter.

In 1963, Virginia Thompson and five other female aviators met President John F. Kennedy at the White House. They were there for a special event honoring Amelia Earhart. Thompson also served as the International Historian for the Ninety-Nines for many years. She helped preserve important aviation history.

Scholarships for Pilots

The Ninety-Nines offer the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund (AEMSF). This program helps women pilots pay for flight training, technical training, or college studies. Scholarships are given to qualified members.

The AEMSF "First Wings" award can provide up to $6,000. This helps student pilots who are Ninety-Nines members complete their Private Pilot training. Many local chapters of the Ninety-Nines also give their own scholarships to help women aviators in their areas.

Support for Professional Pilots

If you dream of becoming a professional pilot, the Ninety-Nines can help. Their "Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative" program offers career advice and mentorship. This program is great for aspiring or new commercial pilots.

Museums and Activities

The Ninety-Nines are involved in several exciting aviation activities and maintain important historical sites.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

The Ninety-Nines own and care for the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas. This is where the famous aviator Amelia Earhart was born and spent her early childhood. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The "99s" have restored it to look like it did in the early 1900s. It displays many personal items and family memories of Amelia Earhart.

99s Museum of Women Pilots

The international headquarters of the Ninety-Nines is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is located at Will Rogers World Airport. This building is home to the 99s Museum of Women Pilots.

The museum has many historical items. These include old papers, personal belongings, videos, photos, and other important artifacts from famous women aviators worldwide. The museum's collection shows how women pilots helped shape aviation history.

Fun Activities for Members

Ninety-Nines members are very active in aviation. They support the organization's goals through many activities:

• They host aviation education seminars in local communities.
• They participate in air races, from the historic Powder Puff Derby to the Air Race Classic.
• They volunteer for "airmarking." This means painting airport names, compass symbols, and other important signs on airports.
• They also help the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). Many "99s" serve as judges at regional and national NIFA competitions.

See also

• New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 268: Bernice Blake Perry (1905–1996), honoring a charter member of the Ninety-Nines