THE POWDER PUFF DERBY OF 1929 By Gene Nora Jessen

This soft-cover 320-page book by 99 Gene Nora Jessen provides an excellent detailed story about the 20 women pilots who planned and executed the first major female cross-country airplane race. On Sunday, August 19, 1929, these women took off from Santa Monica, California, in their propeller-driven airplanes headed for Cleveland, Ohio, where the race ended on Monday, August 26.

The women encountered a multitude of problems over the 2,759 mile course such as suspected sabotage attempts, sexist criticism of their flying ability and several crashes, one of which caused a fatality, but the race nevertheless managed to capture nationwide attention and certainly gained new respect for female aviators. The race was dubbed the Powder Puff Derby by Will Rogers and chapter introductions contain quotes from Rogers' newspaper columns.

Gene Nora documents events that happened during the race and includes many photos and background vignettes to give readers some insight into the personal lives of each of these courageous women. She fills readers in on how the pilots came to be involved in the race, then follows up with an epilogue about their lives afterwards.

The concept of an advocacy group for women pilots, a subject of casual conversation prior to the race was more eagerly discussed during the race. Then, on November 2, at Curtiss Field, Long Island, New York, together with other women pilots, The 99s, a women pilots organization was founded with 99 charter members. Louise Thaden chaired the group for two years until a formal election was held and Amelia Earhart became its first president in 1931.

Published:	Sourcebooks, Inc - January 2002
Price:	$16.95 plus shipping & handling
ISBN:	1-57071-769-9
	Soft Cover 320 pages
This book can be purchased from:	Amazon