1885-1970 AKA Blanche Stuart 'Betty' Scott |
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Library of Congress Collection |
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Library of Congress Collection |
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From The Day the Airmail Began by Edith Dodd Culver |
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SHE WAS FIRST--Blanche Stuart Scott, first U. S. woman to solo in a plane, is shown here just before
take-off in 1910. Hop was made at Hammondsport, N. Y. Chic bloomers were creation of Fifth Avenue tailor. Mrs. Scott is now living at
Hornell, N. Y., and is a director of programs for a radio station From the collection of Lester F. Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky |
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Library of Congress Collection |
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Still Uses Airways (Radio) (AP)--The First woman pilot in the United States to solo is still using the airways--as a radio station's program director. To look at her now, you'd never suspect that Blanche Stuart Scott of station WLEA was a pioneer barnstormer. She has blonde curls, twinkling eyes, the attractive figure of a college girl and the vivacity of a successful business woman. "Don't ask how old I am--I've been 29 for years," she says. Glenn Curtiss taught her to fly at Hammondsport, N. Y., in 1910, and, says Blanche; "I learned in two days. The plane had a 33-horsepower motor and we sat out in front. "The technique was for the instructor to way 'good bye and God bless you,' and you were on your way. The had you cutting grass -- flying just above the ground -- which we know today is very dangerous." Ernest Jones of Clifton, Va., secretary of the Early Birds, vouches for her rank as the first U. S. woman pilot, a year behind the French Baroness Raymonde de la Roche. Blanche flew for seven years without a license, she says, and Jones concedes that's why some historians credit Bessica Raiche of New York City, who held license No. 1, as the first woman aviator. Courtesy of David Balanky |
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Reproduction of an early poster advertising the "outlaw" meet of 1912 in Oakland. EB Blanche Scott was featured as the "most famous
aviatrix in the world." Other EB's participated in the 14 "nerve tingling" events. courtesy of Steve Remington - CollectAir |
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in which EB's participated in 1912 Just as a reminder of old days, there is reproduced the "outlaw" meet of February 17-25, 1912, at the Emeryville race track, Oakland. The Aero Club cautioned the contestants with the threat of "license" revocation but the show went on. The participants were: Blanche Scott (Martin-Curtiss type-Hall Scott 60), P. O. Parmalee (Wright-Hall Scott 60), Lincoln Beachey, (Curtiss-Curtiss 80), Hillery Beachey, (Beachey-Hall Scott 40), Glenn L. Martin (Martin-Curtiss type--Curtiss 80), Horace Kearney (Curtiss type), Weldon B. Cooke, (Wiseman II-Hall Scott 60), William Hoff, (Curtiss-Curtiss 60), Farnum Fish, (Wright-Wright 30). The mail-carrying, radio, marriage, and aerial homeymoon projects do not appear to have been carried out, but thills there were. Parmalee's Wright had a muffler for each bank of exhaust ports and the only noise was the whir of the propellers and chain. "Sure-shot" Kearney flew an extra stunt from the field to San Francisco, landing and taking off on Van Ness Avenue. Possessors of other posters are asked to put them in the EB files for the edification of posterity, if any. If too well cherished, loan them for photostating. courtesy of Steve Remington - CollectAir |
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FORMER FIRST LADY, ARCHITECT/DESIGNER AMONG NEXT CLASS OF INDUCTEES TO NATIONAL WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME SENECA FALLS, NY, July 14, 2004 – As the nation prepares to commemorate the 156TH anniversary of the first women's rights convention, the National Women's Hall of Fame announces its 2005 Inductees. Included in the group of ten outstanding American women are health advocate Betty Bumpers, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, scientist Dr. Rita Colwell and renowned architect Maya Lin. These women, along with six historic figures, will be inducted during a weekend of ceremonies October 7-8, 2005. "These ten women embody the fulfillment of the 1848 conventioneer's vision of women's potential. Each of the inductees represents her own version of the American dream. None of their achievements would have been possible without the work of the brave women and men who convened the first women's rights convention. We are honored to share their stories of perseverance and accomplishment with the nation and the world," said the Hall's President, Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker. Among the 2005 Inductees is: Blanche Stuart Scott (1889-1970) Born in Rochester, New York, Scott was a pioneering aviatrix, becoming the first American woman to take a solo hop into the air, although her flight is not regarded as official. In 1910, she became the first woman to drive an automobile coast to coast in her car - the "Lady Overland". Scott was also the first and only woman to take flying lessons from Glenn Curtiss, later flying with the Curtiss Exhibition Team and earning the nickname "Tomboy of the Air". |
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The amazing flying Miss Blanche Scott By RICHARD BATTIN News-Sentinel managing editor |
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A Story of Early Aviation Days by Edith Dodd Culver |
by Edith Dodd Culver |
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Blanche Scott, pioneer woman pilot who soloed for the first time September 5, 1910, died Monday, January
12, 1970 at Genesee Hospital, Rochester, N.Y. Age 84 Miss Scott was the first and only woman taught by Glenn Curtiss. After giving up flying at the start of World War I, she worked as a script writer, film producer and radio broadcaster in Hollywood, California. Upon retirement, she moved to Rochester, N.Y. |
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via email from Jean Czerkas, 6-11-04 I am the archivist for the Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. Mt. Hope is the oldest municipally owned Victorian Cemetery in America. Riverside Cemetery, also owned by the City of Rochester, is the resting place of Blanche Stuart Scott, (1896-1970). She was the first woman to fly cross country and was a student of Glenn Curtiss. It is amazing how accomplished she was and how she has been forgotten. I saw a photo of Blanche Scott on the internet. Do you know if there are photos of her available anywhere? We would like to include a photo in an article for our newsletter. I searched for and found her grave in Riverside. She is interred in a grave with her mother. (Not just in the same plot, but in the same grave.) Some organization put a small stone on her grave several years ago with the words "America's First Aviatrix" on it. She must have acquired a husband along the way (Hemmings or Hennings) but we know nothing about him. There are four graves on the plot, but only her grave has a head stone. Her father is not in the plot. Her mother most have remarried and her 2nd husband is in the plot. I can make a copy of the plot drawing and send it to you. We would appreciate any information you may have on Ms. Scott and her activities or where we might find information. Thank you for your assistance with the above. Jean M. Czerkas, Archivist The Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery 80 Parkmere Rd. Rochester, New York 14617 |
via email from Karl S. Kabelac, 11-29-07 I just learned about Blanche Stuart Scott, and as a retired local history librarian here in Rochester NY and with all the wonderful resources on the internet and through subscription databases have had some research fun researching her. 1. The 1900 census was filled out on June 4, 1900 for her family. It is a little hard to see if her birthdate is 1885 or 1886, but as her age is given as 15, I think one can conclude that she was born in 1885. 2. The Social Security Death Index (ssdi) has her birthdate as April 8, 1885. Although she may have been a little confusing about her birthdate for the public, I think she probably would have given the correct date on her application for her Social Security card. 3. The cemetery records in Rochester say she was 84 at time of death. And since she died on January 12, 1970, she would not have had her April birthday that year, so would have been born in 1885. 4. Her obituaries say she was 84; so the same thought as in 3 above would hold. Sincerely, Karl Editor's Note: I thank Karl for this elegant bit of detective work. I am always pleased when, with the help of our friends, I can state the facts of the lives and careers of the pioneers with some degree of confidence. |
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If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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