Documented in our National Aeronautic Association collection is the 1961 All Woman’s International Air Race that ended in Nassau, Bahamas on May 29. The race hosted 21 contestants over a 909-kilometer (565-mile), island-hopping route. The Ninety-Nines, a group of women pilots formed just a few months after the first Women’s National Air Derby in 1929, helped to organize and manage the race.

Winning Air Race Team
Pilot Edna Gardner Whyte and copilot Martha Wright pose with their Cessna 120 and trophies after winning the 11th Annual All Woman’s International Air Race in 1961. 

 

1961 "Angel Derby" Winners
Pilot Edna Gardner Whyte sits at the controls of her Cessna 120. This was her fourth win at the All Woman’s International Air Race, also known as the “Angel Derby.” Whyte’s student, Martha Wright, served as co-pilot.

 

Pilot Margaret Callaway
Pilot Margaret Callaway of Wilmington, Ohio, checks the right aileron of her Cessna 140 during the 11th Annual All Woman’s International Air Race in Nassau, Bahamas.

 

"Angel Derby" Second Place Winners
Margaret Callaway (left) and her co-pilot Paula Jane Schultz flew this Cessna 140 to win second place in the 1961 All Woman’s International Air Race that ended in Nassau, Bahamas on May 29.

 

Pilot Margo Callaway
Third place in the 11th Annual All Woman’s International Air Race went to 19-year-old Margo Callaway in her Cessna 172.

This is just one of the many womens' air races documented in the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) collection. The collection also holds NAA organizational records, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) license cards, business records, minutes, and correspondence. Learn more about our collection of National Aeronautic Association records.
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