Museum Committee at 1976 Ninety-Nines Convention
Ninety-Nines
IWASM
Doris Scott
Philadelphia, PA
International Organization of Women Pilots
A group of Ninety-Nines gathers in a hotel room during the 1976 Ninety-Nines Convention to discuss the proposed Ninety-Nines Museum, which would later become IWASM.
IWASM's first president Doris Scott sits reclined on the bed in the center, fourth from the right.
Doris Scott Collection
1976
Photograph
Geraldine "Jerri" Sloan Truhill and Martha Ann Reading
Women air pilots -- United States
Geraldine “Jerri” Sloan Truhill kneels to polish the wing of a Beech Bonanza plane while her co-pilot, Martha Ann Reading, lays underneath the plane. The women are preparing the Beechcraft Bonanza H-35 for the 12th All Women's Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR) in 1958. The women were both well-known aviatrixes. Truhill was one of the thirteen women who passed all of the astronaut tests given at the Lovelace Clinic in 1961, making her a member of the Mercury 13. Reading was the first female Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol. Both women were members of the Texas Ninety-Nines.
Photo Courtesy of Jerri Truhill
IWASM Original Photo Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1958
Heidi Fearing/Kimberly Cole
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Original Photo No. 624
San Diego, California
Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran and a Staggerwing Beech
Women air pilots -- United States
Aviatrix Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran standing in front of her plane that is adorned with a victory wreath.
Photo Courtesy of Roger Hubbell
IWASM Original Photo Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1937
Heidi Fearing/Kimberly Cole
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Original Photo No. 312
Ruth Nichols Portrait
Women air pilots -- United States
Original Source Unknown
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing/Kimberly Cole
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN94
Ruth Nichols-Wings of Peace
Women air pilots -- United States
Nichols was a very much a humanitarian and involved aviation in her efforts to serve those in need in areas of disaster.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN93
Nichols Magazine Picture
Women air pilots -- United States
This picture of flying record-breaker Ruth Nichols appears to have been cut out of a magazine. The bottom caption reads "'The Life Saver' Pilot Ruth Nichols." Behind the well-dressed and young-looking Nichols is a plane with a Life Saver logo on the side.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN50
Early Photograph belonging to Nichols
Women air pilots -- United States
This picture, found in the Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, appears to have been developed using early photographic techniques and materials. The woman in the photograph is lavishly and elaborately dressed with her hair done up. It is unclear who the woman pictured is, although she does resemble successful pilot Nichols.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN49
Nichols Poses in Front of a Small Plane
Women air pilots -- United States
Ruth Nichols, wearing pants, a collared shirt, and a headband stands in front of a relatively small plane. She is posing in her favorite way, with her hands in her pants pockets and a smile on her face.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN48
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
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN27
Nichols About to Fly
Women air pilots -- United States
Famous early pilot Ruth Nichols looks a bit mismatched in a sweater with a collared shirt underneath, flight pants, and a plane helmet. Part of a large plane rudder is visible behind the smiling aviatrix.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN46
Nichols Sits Leisurely
Women air pilots -- United States
Ruth Nichols sits atop a house's stone stoop on a sunny day. The famous female pilot sports a full skirt, large beret hat, and a smile.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN45
Photo Strip with Ruth Nichols
Women air pilots -- United States
In this photograph strip tha consists of two images, Ruth Nichols, an incredibly successful female pilot of her time, sits at a table next to an unknown man with two others standing beside them. The first photograph is fairly clear with Nichols looking directly at the picture taker. In the second photograph, which is quite fuzzy, those captured appear to be busy with something on the table.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1930s
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN44
Nichols Atop a Plane
Women air pilots -- United States
Ruth Nichols, widely known as an accomplished aviatrix of her time, sits high on the wings of fairly large, non-commercial plane. On the side of the plane are the names "Anoco" and "Akila."
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN43
Ruth Nichols at Sea
Women air pilots -- United States
On the front of this postcard, Ruth Nichols, a famous female pilot, tests out a nautical instrument on a Navy boat.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN42
Ruth Nichols and Navy Officer
Women air pilots -- United States
Record-breaking aviatrix Ruth Nichols stands on at the bow of a navy boat with an officer. The Navy man is showing Nichols how to operate a nautical instrument.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN41
Nichols Waiting for Transportation
Women air pilots -- United States
Aviation pioneer and multiple record breaker Ruth Nichols stands on a train station platform wearing a full length, double-breasted coat, headband, and strapped shoes. She appears to be looking for the train or somebody to arrive.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN40
Nichols at the Control Center
Women air pilots -- United States
Famous Aviatrix Ruth Nichols sits in the Air Control Center holding a paper and wearing a headset. She appears to be sending out a message using Morse code. Behind her stands a male airplane pilot in uniform.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN39
Nichols Poses for Portrait
Women air pilots -- United States
Aviation pioneer and multiple record breaker Ruth Nichols sits for a portrait wearing a leather flight jacket. Silver flight wings are pinned to her chest.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1930s
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN38
Ruth Nichols Portrait in Flight Coat
Women air pilots -- United States
Aviation pioneer and multiple record breaker Ruth Nichols sits for her portrait wearing a stylish fur-lined, white coat.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN37
Nichols Waving From Plane Window
Women air pilots -- United States
Dressed in a nice woman's suit and wearing a pillbox hat, record breaking aviatrix Ruth Nichols is seen waving from the window of a plane.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1930s
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN36
Ruth Nichols in Triple Record Breaking Plane
Women air pilots -- United States
This photograph shows Helen Hayes (ground) greeting famous aviatrix Ruth Nichols. Nichols is sitting on the wing of her Lockhead Vega, the plane in which she went on to break three records: speed, distance and altitude. The latter record was just broken before this photograph was taken on 6 March 1931. Nichols was the first woman pilot to reach a height of 28,743 feet.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
6 March 1931
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN35
Nichols Setting Transcontinental Record
Women air pilots -- United States
During her impressive flying career, Ruth Nichols set a new Transcontinental flying time record. Pictured here is Nichols in her Lockhead Vega in Burbank, California on 1 December 1930 after flying from the East to the West coast in 17 hours. Ten days later she arrived back on on the East coast after a total flight time of 13 hours.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
1 December 1930
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN34
Burbank, California
Nichols in Front of Plane
Women air pilots -- United States
Famed aviatrix Ruth Nichols is seen in this photograph standing in front of a military plane. Although wearing a dress, she appears to have a flight suit draped across her left arm.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1930s
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN33
Letter from Ruth Nichols Admirer
Women air pilots -- United States
Aviation pioneer and multiple record breaker Ruth Nichols most likely received many letters from fans. This is one such letter in which Nichols is asked for her assistance in detailing a photograph of herself.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
October 1, 1930
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN32
New York
Plane on Runway
Airplanes
Found in the a collection of photographs gathered by famed female pilot Ruth Nichols is this picture of a plane, most likely from the 1930s, sitting upon a cement runway.
IWASM
Ruth Nichols Photograph Collection, International Women's Air and Space Museum
ca. 1930
Heidi Fearing
Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests contact the International Women's Air & Space Museum at info@iwasm.org
Photo No. RN31