Ruth Rowland Nichols facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Rowland Nichols
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Nichols in 1932
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| Born | February 23, 1901 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | September 25, 1960 (aged 59) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery |
| Education | Wellesley College (1924) |
| Parent(s) | Erickson Norman Nichols Edith Corlis Haines |
Ruth Rowland Nichols (born February 23, 1901 – died September 25, 1960) was an amazing American aviation pioneer. She was the only woman ever to hold world records at the same time for speed, altitude (how high you fly), and distance as a female pilot. She achieved incredible things in the sky!
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Ruth Nichols' Early Life and Dream to Fly
Ruth Nichols was born in New York City. Her parents were Erickson Norman Nichols and Edith Corlis Haines. Her father worked on the New York Stock Exchange. He also served with Teddy Roosevelt's famous group, the Rough Riders.
Ruth went to a private school for young women called the Masters School. When she graduated in 1919, her father gave her a special gift: an airplane ride! This flight with Eddie Stinson, Jr. made her want to become a pilot more than anything. After high school, she attended Wellesley College. She studied subjects to prepare for medical school and graduated in 1924.
How Ruth Nichols Became a Pilot
While studying at Wellesley College, Ruth secretly took flying lessons. Soon after she graduated, she earned her pilot's license. She also became the first woman in the world to get a license to fly a hydroplane (an airplane that can land on water).
Ruth first became famous in January 1928. She was the co-pilot for Harry Rogers, who had been her flying teacher. Together, they made the first non-stop flight from New York to Miami, Florida. Because she came from a well-known family, the newspapers called her the "Flying Debutante." Ruth really disliked this nickname.
Later, Ruth worked as a sales manager for Fairchild Aviation Corporation. In 1929, she helped start a group called the Ninety-Nines. This organization was for licensed women pilots. Amelia Earhart was also a founding member. In August 1929, Ruth and Amelia were among 20 women who competed in the Women's Air Derby. This was the first official air race just for women in the United States. The race started in Santa Monica, California, and ended in Cleveland, Ohio. Ruth had a crash during the race, but Amelia Earhart finished third.
Ruth Nichols' Amazing Flight Records
During the 1930s, Ruth Nichols set many flight records. She worked for Fairchild and other aviation companies. Most of her record flights were in a plane called the New Cincinnati. This plane was on loan from a rich radio businessman, Powel Crosley, Jr.
Breaking Speed and Altitude Records
In December 1930, Ruth beat Charles Lindbergh's record for a cross-country flight. She completed the trip in just 13 hours and 21 minutes. That's super fast!
In March 1931, she set a new women's world altitude record. She flew to an amazing height of 28,743 feet (about 8,761 meters). In April 1931, in Detroit, she set the women's world speed record. She flew at 210.7 miles per hour (about 339.1 km/h).
Challenges and More Records
In June 1931, Ruth tried to be the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Sadly, she crashed in New Brunswick and was badly hurt. She broke at least two bones in her back. After she recovered, in October 1931, she set the women's distance record. She flew 1,977 miles (about 3,182 km) from Oakland, California to Louisville, Kentucky.
On February 14, 1932, Ruth set another world altitude record. This time, it was for planes powered by diesel fuel. She reached 19,928 feet at Floyd Bennett Field, NY. On December 29, Ruth became the first woman pilot for a commercial passenger airline. She flew for New York and New England Airways. In 1935, she joined the British-based Women's Engineering Society. This was the only group in the world at that time for women engineers and pilots.
Helping Others with Her Skills
On October 21, 1935, Ruth was seriously hurt in another plane crash in Troy, New York. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, and the pilot died. Ruth suffered many injuries, including a broken wrist, ankle, and nose. She couldn't fly for almost a year.
When she returned to flying, Ruth worked for the Emergency Peace Campaign. This was a Quaker organization that wanted to find peaceful ways to solve international problems. In 1939, she led Relief Wings. This was a civilian air service that flew emergency relief missions. They also helped the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. Ruth eventually became a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.
After the war, Ruth continued to help others. She used her fame to bring attention to important causes and raise money. She organized support for UNICEF. This included flying a round-the-world tour in 1949. In the 1950s, she worked for groups like Save the Children and the United Hospital Fund.
In 1958, at age 57, Ruth co-piloted a TF-102A Delta Dagger jet. She reached 1,000 miles per hour (about 1,600 km/h) and an altitude of 51,000 feet (about 15,545 meters). This set new women's speed and altitude records!
Ruth Nichols and the Space Program
In 1959, NASA was getting ready for its Mercury program to send people into space. Ruth Nichols took the same tests that the astronaut candidates did. These included isolation, centrifuge (spinning fast), and weightlessness tests. She took these tests at the Wright Air Development Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Ruth performed well on the tests. She strongly encouraged Air Force scientists to include women in their space plans. However, the scientists were not open to the idea at that time. The test results were shared with the media. This, unfortunately, turned public opinion against the Air Force supporting research into female astronauts. In the end, only Jerrie Cobb was able to complete all three phases of tests before NASA officially stopped the program for women.
Ruth Nichols' Last Years and Legacy
Ruth Nichols passed away at her home in New York City on September 25, 1960. She was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.
During her amazing career, Ruth Nichols flew almost every type of aircraft. This included dirigibles (blimps), gliders, autogyros (like helicopters), seaplanes, biplanes, triplanes, transport planes, and even a supersonic jet.
Ruth Nichols was honored after her death. She was added to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1992. A propeller from her 1930s Lockheed Vega plane is on display. You can see it in the Golden Age of Flight gallery at the National Air and Space Museum. Her achievements continue to inspire pilots today!
Images for kids
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Nichols in 1932
