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Summary

The Women's Air Reserve was an organization formed circa 1932, based along the lines of the United States Army Air Corps, with the objective to train female pilots in practical mechanics and flying so that they would be qualified for military or civic service in the United States in the event of emergency. This collection consists of the first edition booklet of the Women's Air Reserve Regulations.

Biographical / Historical

The Women's Air Reserve was an organization formed circa 1932, based along the lines of the United States Army Air Corps, with the objective to train female pilots in practical mechanics and flying so that they would be qualified for military or civic service in the United States in the event of emergency. The group consisted of the following national officers: Commanding General, Florence "Pancho" Barnes; Executive Officer, LaVelle Sweeley; Finance Officer, Valentine Sprague; Commanding General's Personal Adjutant, Anona Hansen; Women's Air Reserve Adjutant, Eileen Curley. Squadron Number 1, Ninth Corps Area consisted of the following officers: Alice Jane Kelly, Sylvia Deems, Yolanda Spirito, Gertrude Chapman, Yvonne Haase, Estelle Sherman Bronish, Bee Selck, Margaret Murphy, Viola Neill, Melba Gorby, Elizabeth K. Inwood, Patricia Ann Willis, Ruth Mertens, Peggy Edna Gilliland, Vi Netta Sloan, Evelyn "Bobbie" Trout, and Dorothea Wilson Handschiegel.

Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0861

Creator

Women's Air Reserve

Date

1932

Provenance

Unknown, material found in collection, NASM.XXXX.0861.

Extent

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the first edition booklet of the Women's Air Reserve Regulations. The booklet has a dark red cardstock cover, measures approximately 5.5 by 8.5 inches, and is signed on the cover by Louise Thaden. A page tucked inside the front cover is a typewritten list of the Women's Air Reserves national officers as well as the officers of Squadron Number 1.

Arrangement note

Collection is in original order.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

Women's Air Reserve Regulations, NASM.XXXX.0861, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics

Women air pilots

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Publications