The SW Section of the 99s
When The Ninety-Nines was founded in 1929, California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona were designated as the Southwest Section. That first year, there were no chapters, only charter members. California had 12 charter members and Nevada had just one.
The first Southwest Section governor was Gladys O’Donnell. Clema Granger served as treasurer. In 1932, Margaret Cooper (Perry, Manser) was instrumental in forming the first two chapters in the Section, Bay Cities and Los Angeles.
Over the years, more and more chapters were chartered. The formation of the Hawaii (Aloha) Chapter on June 4, 1968 added the state of Hawaii to the Section.
Today, the Southwest Section boasts over 1,600 members among 43 chapters in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. About 25% of the all Ninety-Nines are members of our Section.
Who Are The Ninety-Nines?
The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is the world’s largest and oldest organization of licensed women pilots. With chapters in 35 countries, the majority of our 6,500-plus members live in the United States. Although there are other female pilot organizations in various states and nations, virtually all women of achievement in aviation have been or are members of The Ninety-Nines.
Originally called the 99s Club, our organization began on November 2, 1929, at Curtiss Field, Valley Stream, Long Island, New York when 117 American female pilots were invited to assemble for mutual support and the advancement of aviation. In 1931, Amelia Earhart was elected as first president and the group was renamed “The Ninety-Nines” in recognition of the original 99 charter members.
Today Ninety-Nines are professional pilots for airlines, industry, and government; we are pilots who teach and pilots who fly for pleasure; we are pilots who are technicians and mechanics. But first and foremost, we are women who love to fly!
