The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots, was founded on November 2, 1929 at Curtiss Field, Long Island, New York for the mutual support and advancement of women pilots. All 117 women pilots licensed at the time were invited and the group is named for the 99 licensed women pilots who attended the meeting or expressed an interest in joining the group. Charter members include Amelia Earhart, Fay Gillis Wells, Ila Loetscher, Phyllis Fleet, Candis Hall, Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, and Mildred Stinaff. The first president elected in 1931 was Amelia Earhart. Other famous members include Elsie MacGill, Bobbi Trout, Pancho Barnes, Patty Wagstaff, Jeana Yeager, Sheila Scott, Eileen Collins, Shirley Zillig, Bonnie Gann, and Linda Godwin.

The organization currently has 6,000 members in thirty countries. Their mission is to promote world fellowship through flight; to provide networking and scholarship opportunities for women and aviation education in the community; and to preserve the unique history of women in aviation. The Ninety-Nines, Inc is a non-profit 501(c)3 organisation.

The Ninety-Nines mentor aspiring women pilots via their Future Woman Pilot program and professional pilots via their Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative. The Ninety-Nines Amelia Earhart Memorial Flight Scholarship program assisting in funding flight training for both recreational and career track female pilots. In addition to the AE Scholarship program, many individual chapters of the Ninety-Nines give their own flight scholarships to benefit local aviatrixes.

External links

• The Ninety-Nines
• Documentary about "Pancho" Barnes, early member of the 99's