When did the Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, Inc become International and who was the first Chapter/Section outside of the United States?
The first Section created outside the USA was in Oct, 1950 when Canada was granted a 99 Charter…. read more about the event below written by the President Kay Mengis Brick “Brickaero”, Norwood, New Jersey.
REPRINTED FROM THE NINETY-NINES, INC NEWSLETTER, Sept 15, 1950
NINETY NINES – CHARTER PRESENTATION TO CANADIAN SECTION OCTOBER 6-7-8, 1950
Plans have been made to present a 99 Charter to the Canadian girls in Ottawa, Canada. This will be the first International Section of the 99’s, though we do have International members. This is a big event both for the 99’s and aviation in general and should further cement relations between the United States and Canada through aviation interests. Since New York-New Jersey is the sponsor group for the Canadian Section and has worked long to bring it about, we are extending the invitation to all the members of the 991s to join with us.
The date set aside for the presentation is the week-end of October 6th. 7th and 8th.
This is the first available date for the Viscount and Viscountess of Canada to receive a delegation of 99 members.
Since names of those arriving for the presentation must be presented to the Governor General’s Aide well before the date of arrival, the information requested below must be sent back immediately – dead¬ line September 15th. This is also necessary for customs clearance and Security reasons.
The invitation is extended to 99 members only, plus ^J-‘ers who wish to join with us.
Everything will be informal but dresses, hats and gloves are necessary at Rideau Hall.
Dinner on Saturday night will be formal.
Hotel information will be sent to those who indicate interest in going.
Any expenses incurred will be met by the individual members and 4.9i-‘ers.
Bring your 99 card and some identification.
REPRINTED FOLLOW UP FROM THE NINETY-NINES, INC NEWSLETTER, Oct 15, 1950
It was off to OTTAWA with MARILYN LINK flying one of her brother’s beautiful Grumman Widgeons. No stranger in Canada, she has been flying the bush for several summers.
Another page in our Ninety-Nine HISTORY was turned on October 7, 1950, in Ottawa, Canada.
In presenting the CHARTER to the CANADIAN SECTION OF NINETY-NINES I felt that we were returning to them a “spark” generated there over thirty years ago.
During World War I AMELIA EARHART trained under the Canadian Red Cross and served as a VAD at Spadina Hospital, Ontario. She often visited Armour Heights Flying Field. She says in her book, “Twenty Hours and Forty Minutes.” that “those months in Toronto roused my interest in flying but I didn’t realize it at the time.” Upon her return to the United States she started her own flight training, the results of which have been such an inspiration to women the world over.
The friendliness of our Canadian Ninety-Nines – the beauty of Ottawa in autumn dress – the warm receptions accorded us will be memorable. Their Excellencies, the GOVERNER GENERAL OF CANADA, VISCOUNT ALEXANDER of Tunis and LADY ALEXANDER, granted us a generous audience at Government House. AMBASSADOR STANLEY WOODWARD received
us at the U.S. Embassy Residence. LOIS FAIRBANK, N.Y.- N.J. Governor presented a letter of greeting from New York City’s Mayor V. IMPELLITTERI to Mayor E. A. BOURQUE of OTTAWA. CLAIRE ‘WILSON, U. S. Civil Air Attache to Canada entertained us. It is easy to understand why the ONLY woman air attache is so popularI
Ninety-Nine Governor PHYLLIS KLOTZ and Vice-Governor NEVILLE ROBINSON gave parties in their lovely homes. And to ALL the CANADIAN NINETY-NINES we wish to say THANK YOU for the wonderful weekend of hospitality.
The FIRST Executive Board Meeting ever held outside the U.S. took place at the Chateau Laurier on October 7 at which time a Resolution was adopted to have the 99s go on record as approving the plan of the Aviation Development Advisory Committee. (See Cross Country News, Sept. 11, 1950).