Viewing page 54 of 521

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[newspaper clipping]]
MEET THE BOSTON AIRPORT "WOMEN'S WING AND PROP" CLUB

[[image - photograph of group of women standing in front of plane]]
[[caption]] Fliers, All of Them.  From Right to Left — Victoria Wesson, Joan Shankle, Teddy Kenyon, Jean Cameron, Mildred Waltz, Cassa Dimon, Mrs. Robert Raymont, Lorraine Defren, Keet Mathews, Manila Davis, Betsy Kelly, Agnes Wilcox, Billie Nelson, Dolly Berson and Mildred Chase. [[/caption]]

Women's Club Meets in Clouds

New England is prone to reserve her decision a little longer on any innovation than to do other sections.  In the field of aviation, however, she is ultra-modern, for she sees flying as very much of a woman's world.  In fact, there is a group of energetic young ladies frequenting the Boston Airport who are proving that New England leads the country in one phase of this new flying art.

Women's flying clubs of one kind or another exist in other parts of the country and there has even been an effort made to form a national club, but they are rather loosely formed groups of those who might be interested in flying as well as those who really are.  It has remained for a group of New England women to form a club whose membership is really limited to serious fliers, with "ground fliers" barred.

This outfit has been organized with 16 charter members due to the enthusiasm and energy of one Lorraine Defren, whose confidence in aviation is unbounded.  Under the title "Women's Wing and Prop Club of New England," it is embarking on a course which will go a long way toward making aviation popular among the younger groups throughout this part of the country.

Only those who have passed the physical examination required for government licenses are eligible to join and only those may remain members after six months who have flown during that time a minimum of three solo hours.  There will be no "sweet young things" whose only object is to appear in helmet, goggles and shiny boots, unless they are also willing to scratch those same shiny boots against the control wires of some sky-climbing Valkyrie.

And the seriousness of the group is most definitely illustrated by the fact that of the 16 charter members almost half, seven to be exact, actually own planes of their own.  Two find the atmosphere of the airport at East Boston so alluring that they spend their entire time there.

One of their number, Miss Joan Shankle, has been chosen to supervise all flying and under her direction the club is planning some cross-country trips which will occupy a good many week-ends during the coming spring and summer.

The first trip, to Providence, R. I., will be a short one so that the members can get into the habit of flying in a group and working together.  The second will be across Cape Cod and a bit of water to charming Martha's Vineyard to give practice in flying over water as well as over land.

After these two flights the Wing and Prop Club expects to be ready for bigger and better things and on the first clear Saturday head for Portland, Me., or perhaps even Montreal or Quebec.

These are high sounding ambitions.  Higher by far than those of any such club in other parts of the country, for no other club possesses the same number of experienced women fliers who own enough planes for the trip and are also interesting in doing such work as a group.  This club is not ambitious for personal glory.  Its members are devoted to aviation because they love to fly and are happy in the companionship of those of similar tastes.  Their activities will redound to the praise of aviation rather than to personalty.

Of course there must be the feminine touch.  There must be some tiny bit of jewelry for insignia.  But here again the women have shown their good sense and restraint.  It is to be a tiny identification disk to be worn about the wrist, gold for charter members and silver for those who come in later.

The inauguration of the Women's Wing and Prop Club of New England at the Boston Airport is in every way an indication of the sincere and serious manner in which women have entered the field of aviation as they have entered so many other fields of modern activity.  No longer can an airport be considered at bachelors' island of retreat.