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, U.S.
Type	International Organization of Women Pilots
Headquarters	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Membership	~6,100

The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots, also known as The 99s, is a group that helps female pilots. It offers ways for them to connect, get advice, and even receive scholarships for flight training. This organization was started in 1929.

As of 2022, The Ninety-Nines has 153 local groups called chapters. It also has 27 larger regional sections around the world. There's even an online chapter called Ambassador 99s. This virtual group is for members who are very busy or travel a lot.

Amelia Earhart, a famous pilot, was the first president of The Ninety-Nines in 1931. The group has always worked to support women in aviation. They have received many awards for their efforts. These include 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. This happened after a flying competition called the United States Women's Air Derby. They all agreed that women pilots needed their own organization.

Invitations were sent to all 117 licensed female pilots at that time. On November 2, 1929, the group officially started. It was founded at Curtiss Field in Valley Stream, New York. Twenty-six licensed female pilots were there to support each other.

Amelia Earhart suggested the organization's name. It was chosen because 99 of the invited pilots responded by Christmas. This is how "Ninety-Nines" became the name.

Who Can Join The Ninety-Nines?

The Ninety-Nines is a non-profit organization. As of 2017, it had 5,159 members in 30 countries. The main goal of The Ninety-Nines is to promote friendship through flying. They also provide scholarships for women in aviation.

The group helps with aviation education in communities. They also work to save the history of women in aviation. The organization is divided into "sections" that cover large areas. These sections include multiple states, provinces, or regions. Chapters are smaller groups, often found in big cities.

Founding Members of The Ninety-Nines

Many brave women were part of starting The Ninety-Nines. These are some of the first members:

Other Famous Members

Many other important women pilots have joined The Ninety-Nines over the years. Here are a few of them:

Margaret Thomas "Tommy" Warren was a charter member. She believes she was the youngest to join, at only 17 years old. She attended a meeting in New York in December 1929. She was chosen to represent Texas in the organization.

Important Historical Work

Members of The Ninety-Nines have done a lot to record and share their history. Virginia Thompson, who joined in 1954, was very important. She became the first Historian for the Mid-Atlantic Section. She also helped start the Washington D.C. Chapter.

On July 26, 1963, Virginia Thompson and five other female pilots met with President John F. Kennedy. This was at the White House to honor female aviators. Thompson also served as the International Historian for The Ninety-Nines for many years. She was also an archivist at the Smithsonian.

Scholarship Opportunities

The Ninety-Nines offers the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund (AEMSF). This program helps women pilots pay for flight training or other aviation studies. These scholarships are for both hobby pilots and those wanting a career in aviation.

The AEMSF "First Wings" award can give up to $6,000. This helps a student pilot member finish her Private Pilot training. Many local chapters of The Ninety-Nines also give their own scholarships. These help women aviators in their local areas.

Support for Professional Pilots

The Ninety-Nines has a program called the "Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative." This program helps new or aspiring professional pilots. It offers career advice and mentorship.

Museums and Activities of The Ninety-Nines

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

The Ninety-Nines owns and takes care of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. This museum is in Atchison, Kansas. It is the house where Amelia Earhart was born and spent her early childhood.

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The "99s" have restored it to look like it did in the early 1900s. It has 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 papers, personal belongings, videos, photos, and other items from famous women aviators. The museum shows how women pilots helped aviation grow.

Activities for Members

Members of The Ninety-Nines are active in many aviation events. They support the group's goals through these activities. They hold aviation education seminars in communities. They also take part in air racing, like the Air Race Classic.

Another activity is "airmarking." Members volunteer to paint airport names and compass symbols on airports. They also help the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). Many regional and national NIFA competitions have "99s" members as judges.

See also

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