Ruth Nichols Early Portrait

Ruth Nichols Early Portrait

Women air pilots -- United States

Possibly from her teen years or early twenties, this portrait of the soon-to-be famed aviatrix shows a pretty Ruth Nichols wearing a thin, white necklace and staring off to the right. On the back of the photograph is a list of self-criticism, such as “cheeks not high enough” and “nose too long.” This low self esteem followed her despite her long list of successes. In 1960, Nichols sadly committed suicide.

IWASM

Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum

ca. 1920s

Heidi Fearing

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Photo No. RN27