While recently moving, I found some old archival aviation items I was storing for a Chapter of the 99s, the International Women Pilots Organization.
Inside one scrapbook, was a vintage poster announcing the upcoming Women's Air Race. It's from 1973 or 1974, as far as I can tell.. I've searched online but haven't been able to pin the date down more closely.
From the book "the Powder Puff Derby of 1929", by our own accomplished Idaho 99, pilot Gene Nora Jessen:
The first Air Race was the 1929 Women's National Air Derby -- a cross-country race from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. Nineteen women took off in flimsy propeller planes and endured countless crashes, sexist critics and one horrendous fatality. The competition was honest, aggressive and dangerous.
Watching the racers climb out of Santa Monica, drowned in the roar of the big round engines, humorist Will Rogers shook his head in admiration and said "It looks like a Powder Puff Derby to me."
Reporters wrote down his words, and the nickname for the race stuck forever. Despite the seemingly sexist remark, his admiration for the women was sincere, and the women knew it, and appreciated his support.
The races captivated a nation, and furthered the advance of aviation.
