[Powder Puff Problems and the Curse of the Ladybirds] Page: 37 of 46
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Dr. L.H. Bauer was the founder of American aviation medicine, and was to
be the editor of its only journal for the next 25 years.
Inspector Noel's conclusion was perfect for Cliff Henderson and Floyd
Logan! When it was decided that Marvel Crosson died from menstrual swooning,
all mechanical failure, whether sabotage or not, needn't be considered. And
there was now a secret to hold over these uppity lady fliers: the Derby that
was supposed to prove their equality had only revealed a weakness no woman
could overcome. Perhaps this explains why the contestants stopped discussing
the sabotage issue so abruptly: it certainly sheds light on the races of the
following year:
"Objecting to the conditions of the race, five leading women pilots
announced yesterday through Miss Amelia Earhart that they had refused to
compete in the forthcoming Women's Air Derby. Louise Thaden, Blanche Noyes,
Elinor Smith, Ruth Nichols, and Earhart, whose entrance the management had
already advertised, said their participation was not possible because women
had been restricted to small engines and slower planes. The women also
objected to the addition of two army pilots and a flight surgeon who will
accompany the racers. This is not welcome unless similar precautions are
taken with the men's races." (New York Times, 6 August 30)
The Derby was a success, in spite of everything. Only one flyer, Claire
Fahy, dropped out. Margaret Perry got typhoid, Marvel Crosson got killed, but
every one else got to Cleveland. The sabotage was a failure, as dirty tricks
usually are. The 1930 boycott was a success, with only six entrants that year.
By then the women had formed the Ninety-Nines, to promote aviation for women
generally. Soon to come was the Women's National Aeronautical Association,
acting as a sort of caucus of the female competition flyers.
But for the next ten years Cliff Henderson was able to bring the women
into the National Air Races and push them out again according to the demands
of show business.
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Day, Leon. [Powder Puff Problems and the Curse of the Ladybirds], text, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1029802/m1/37/?rotate=180: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.