The Ninety-Nines, Inc.
International Organization of Women Pilots
Finger Lakes Chapter
Chapter Officers
Chairman: Frances Englund
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Vice-Chairman: Jill Browning
Treasurer: Jutta Dudley
Secretary: Samantha Horne
Finger Lakes Meeting and Info Contacts
Membership Information or Scholarship Information:
Frances Englund
Meetings: Meeting locations & times vary, contact us for information.
Geographic Area: From the NY/Canadian border to the NY/PA border, centered around Rochester, NY.
About our Chapter
The Finger Lakes Chapter of the Ninety Nines was chartered in July 1973. That year, the terminus of the Powder Puff Derby was held in Elmira, NY.
We support women pilots from Sodus west to Batavia, and down to the Southern Tier (NY-PA border). The majority of our membership resides in the greater Rochester area. However, in good flying weather we endeavor to meet at outlying airports. Currently our active pilots are flying out of airports in the greater Rochester area. In 2007 we sponsored a stop on the Air Race Classic (successor to the Powder Puff Derby) at Elmira.
The 99s promotes getting additional flight ratings through the Amelia Earhart Scholarship Fund. Two of our chapter members have received scholarships in the past. In 2012 the AESMF Fund was one of five winners of a $10000 grant from the Lightspeed Foundation.
Many of our activities are held in conjunction with, and support of, the Western New York Chapter and the Central New York Chapter and the NY/NJ Section of the Ninety-Nines. We participate in many of the FAA Safety activities, as well as sponsoring our own.
Blanche Stuart Scott (1885-1970)
Blanche Stuart Scott, the first American woman to solo an airplane on September 6, 1910, lived much of her life in Rochester, NY. She was the only woman taught to fly by Glenn Curtiss in a Curtiss Pusher in Hammondsport, NY.
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Nicknamed the “Tomboy of the Air” Blanche was a unique and daring woman. She went on to become an exhibition pilot, making as much as $5000 per week as an aviator. Blanche was the first American woman test pilot for Glenn Martin in 1912 in California. She was never officially licensed as a pilot, but this was not unusual as flying was still very new to this country.
Her refusal to pay heed to a “woman’s place” in society at the time, helped to open the door for future women wishing to pursue their love of aviation. However, little is known or published about Blanche's life and achievements.
The Finger Lakes 99s has been involved in education and research regarding Blanche's contribution to aviation as well as re-creating her flying costume. A permanent display was created for the main terminal at the Greater Rochester International Airport. This was put in place on March 15, 2007. A second display was put into place at the Glenn Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport, NY July 2010.
Blanche Stuart Scott was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in October 2005.
2020 was the 110th anniversary of an American woman in flight.
Local Area Links
99s, International Organization of Women Pilots
NY- NJ 99s, International Organization of Women Pilots
Women in Aviation International
National Soaring Museum, Elmira, NY
New York Aviation Upstate Event List
Rochester Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
National Women's Hall of Fame, Seneca Falls, NY
National Warplane Museum, Geneseo, NY
Rochester native, Dawn Seymour, was a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) and long term member of the Ninety Nines. She is accompanied by her son, Bill Balden, as she displays the Congressional Gold Medal recognizing the distinguished achievements of the WASP during World War II.
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