By Chris McCormick
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Retired commercial pilot and flight instructor Donna Suwall kicked off Women’s History Month Saturday by honoring prominent women in aviation at the Baltimore County Public Library in Perry Hall.
Suwall, a member of The Ninety-Nines Inc., an international organization of women pilots, outlined the achievements of former and current female pilots, including Jacqueline Cochran and Amelia Earhart.
“Women that fly, most are not wealthy,” Suwall said. “They work hard and do all kinds of jobs.”
Suwall said she was 23 when she bought a $5 demonstration lesson at Essex Skypark with her sister. She came down and immediately wanted more lessons.
It took her eight months to get her license because she was a teacher and could only afford one lesson a week, Suwall said.
She promised her students that she would give them a flight one at a time at the end of the school year. While fulfilling this promise she heard a comment from one of her students that has stuck with her to this day, Suwall said.
“I can’t believe I waited all year just for this,” one of Suwall’s students said on that flight. Suwall decided to show student some of her skills. After that moment, Suwall knew that flying was what she wanted to do.
“I wanted to be a better pilot, so I got my commercial license,” Suwall said.
Suwall said she became a flight instructor while still teaching at school but eventually gave up teaching after 13 years to focus on flying.
“I moseyed into a career that lasted 23 years,” Suwall said.
Suwall said she is active in retirement by being a member of The Ninety-Nines Inc., which has more than 5,320 members in over 30 chapters and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote women in aviation.
“Today’s and tomorrow’s pilots are inspired by those of the past,” Suwall said.
One of the most well-known female aviators in history was Amelia Earhart but she was not one of the best pilots, Suwall said to a room of about 30 people.
Earhart was an incredible person who left a lasting impact on aviation and women pilots, Suwall said.
“I hope they are smiling down on us proud about how far we’ve come,” Suwall said.
Suwall presented a slideshow of some famous female aviators. The first was E. Lillian Todd, the first woman to design and build an airplane in 1906. The next was Katherine Stinson, who set many records after earning her pilot’s license in 1912.
This was three years after the Wright brothers but most people at the time did not learn about it for 15 years, Suwall said.
Suwall said that African American and Native American pilots like Bessie Coleman faced many challenges but overcame them to hold a pilot’s license. She died in a plane crash before achieving her ultimate goal of opening a school for African American women.
The real breakthrough came in 1929 when 19 women flew in the first Women’s National Air Derby, Suwall said. The event was won by Louise Thaden.
“Men wouldn’t let them apply, so the women started their own [derby],” Suwall said.
After the air race those women wanted to start a club. They invited all female pilots to meet in New York to establish a headquarters on female aviation. Of the 117 total pilots invited, 99 attended and a name was born.
Earhart was the first president and gained fame from the public, Suwall said. She was generous with her family despite them trying to embarrass her at seminars across the country by showing up in poor clothing, Suwall said.
Suwall broke down for a couple seconds while talking about a photograph of the last time Earhart would board a plane with her navigator Fred Noonan before disappearing.
“Amelia has been inspiring people for many years,” Suwall said. “Her integrity has left a legacy to all of us.”
Suwall also discussed the achievements of Jackie Cochran, Fay Gillis Wells, Jerrie Mock, Emily Howell Warner, and Nicole Malachowski.
“It’s taken a long time to get recognized,” Suwall said “We’re so proud of them.”