Opal Kunz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Opal Kunz
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| Born |
Opal Logan Giberson
November 6, 1894 |
| Died | May 15, 1967 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Auburn Old Cemetery, Auburn, California; plot 127B-3 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | founder of the Betsy Ross Air Corps |
| Spouse(s) | George Frederick Kunz |
Opal Kunz (born November 6, 1894 – died May 15, 1967) was an amazing early American aviator. She was a main organizer of the Betsy Ross Air Corps. She was also a founding member of the Ninety-Nines, a group for women pilots.
In 1930, Opal made history. She became the first woman pilot to race against men in a flying competition. She often spoke publicly to encourage more women to learn how to fly.
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Opal's Early Life and Family
Opal Logan Giberson was born in Missouri in 1894. She went to school at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
In 1923, she married a famous mineral expert named George Frederick Kunz. Even after their marriage ended in 1929, they remained good friends. Opal continued to care for George until he passed away.
Opal's Exciting Aviation Career
Opal Kunz earned her pilot's license in 1929. Just two weeks later, she had a small plane crash in New Jersey. Luckily, she was not hurt at all! Two years later, she had another crash, but she recovered quickly.
Opal spent a lot of her own money and time on flying. She loved to name all her airplanes after Betsy Ross. On April 7, 1930, she made history at an air meet in Philadelphia. She became the first woman to race against men in an open flying competition. And guess what? She won the race!
Opal often gave interviews to newspapers and spoke on the radio. She always encouraged more women to learn how to fly. She believed that flying was for everyone.
The First Women's Air Derby
In 1929, Opal Kunz took part in the very first Women's Air Derby. A funny writer named Will Rogers later called it the "Powder Puff Derby." At that time, there were only 70 licensed female pilots in the whole United States. Only 40 of them were good enough to join this big race.
The race started in Santa Monica, California, and finished in Cleveland, Ohio. The rules for the race said that planes had to have "appropriate" horsepower for a woman. Opal was told her 300-horsepower plane was too fast for a woman. She had to borrow a slower plane to join the race. Even with a slower plane, she finished in eighth place!
The Betsy Ross Air Corps
Opal Kunz helped start the Betsy Ross Air Corps. This was a special group created to support the Army Air Corps. The Army Air Corps was the early version of the U.S. Air Force. The Betsy Ross Air Corps wanted to help with national defense. They also wanted to act like "air minutemen" during emergencies.
Another goal was to teach women how to fly. This would create a group of women pilots who could help if needed. Opal helped the corps grow to about 100 members. She even used her own money to help fund it. Opal was the first leader of the corps. Her husband designed their special symbol. The corps was active from 1931 to 1933. The U.S. military never officially recognized them.
Teaching Pilots During World War II
As World War II began, Opal Kunz started teaching students how to fly. She taught at Arkansas State College. In 1942, she moved to Rhode Island.
During the war, she became an instructor at the Rhode Island state airport. She taught Navy cadets and students in a government program called the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Opal taught hundreds of young men how to fly for the war effort. Her teaching helped many pilots prepare for service.
Opal's Later Years
After World War II ended, Opal became an inspector for the Aerojet Corporation in California.
In 1961, a Russian astronaut named Yuri Gagarin made history by flying into space. After his flight, Opal wrote a letter to President John F. Kennedy. She offered to become an American astronaut! The president wrote back to her with a kind reply. He honored her many years of flying experience.
Opal Kunz passed away at her home in Auburn, California in 1967.
