Sorry it's Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/houstonwing.caf/posts/1305936231540573
https://www.waspmuseum.org/wasp-in-the-spotlight/nell-mickey-stevenson-bright-43-w-7/
One of two known female fighter pilots from Canyon, Texas
https://www.facebook.com/houstonwing.caf/posts/1305936231540573
Quote:
Join us in wishing WASP Nell Bright a happy 104th birthday today!
During the early 1940s, while serving as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), Nell was among the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft. Her experience included piloting a wide range of aircraft such as the PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, AT-11, C-78, B-25, B-26, SBD (A-24), SBC (A-25), and P-47. Her duties involved towing aerial targets, performing strafing runs, and conducting night searchlight missions.
Nell played a pivotal role in securing long-overdue recognition for the WASP, who served on the home front during World War II. Through her advocacy efforts, the WASP were finally granted veteran status in the 1970s. After her military service, Nell broke new ground againbecoming one of the first female stockbrokers in Phoenix, Arizona.
Last weekend, the Houston Wing crew sent Nell a card and included some goodies from the Wing.
https://www.waspmuseum.org/wasp-in-the-spotlight/nell-mickey-stevenson-bright-43-w-7/
Quote:
Nell Stevenson was born on June 20, 1921, in Canyon, Texas. When she was eight years old, her father paid a dollar for her to ride in a World War I biplane, and from then on, she knew she wanted to learn to fly.
Nell graduated from West Texas A&M with a B.S. degree in English and Economics. Her fianc nicknamed her "Mickey," and the name stuck. With her parents' support, Nell and nine men bought a Taylorcraft in 1941. By the end of 1942, Mickey had earned her private pilot's license at English Field, Amarillo, Texas, with over 75 hours of flying time. One day, while waiting to fly, she picked up an aviation magazine and read about the new women's group headed by Jacqueline Cochran. Qualified applicants needed to be 21 years old and have a pilot's license with 35 hours of flight time. Mickey met all the requirements and applied immediately.
She was part of class 43-W-7, which began training on May 29, 1943, at Avenger Field, and graduated on November 13, 1943. After graduation, she was one of twenty chosen to be the first women trained to fly B-25 bombers at Mather Field, California. Mickey then transferred to the 6th Tow Target Squadron at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, where she towed targets for anti-artillery training with live ammunition. She flew various planes such as the PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, AT-7, AT-11, C-78, B-25, SBD (A-24), SBC (A-25), and the P-47, towing targets, strafing, and conducting night searchlight missions.
One of two known female fighter pilots from Canyon, Texas