Ruth Elder
Ruth Elder (born September 8, 1902 in Anniston , Alabama , † October 9, 1977 in San Francisco , California ) was an American aviation pioneer and actress . Elder was the first woman to venture across the Atlantic .
Life
Virtually simultaneously with Anne Löwenstein-Wertheim and Frances Wilson Grayson , Ruth Elder announced in August 1927 that she would attempt the Atlantic flight. At the time, Elder had not even had a flight ticket and was charged with making the announcement out of publicity to further her acting career. The company Stinson Aircraft , which exhibited their aircraft, was accused of wanting to advertise their pretty face.
Ruth Elder started out as co-pilot with her flight instructor George Haldeman in October 1927 . The success seemed within reach until they had to ditch the Stinson Detroiter off the Azores due to an engine failure. An oil pipe broke. Elder and Haldeman were pulled out of the water by a Dutch oil tanker, the plane burned during the recovery.
In 1929 Ruth Elder took part in the Powder Puff Race and finished fifth.
She was one of the original Ninety-Nine , a club for women aviators.
Web links
- Ruth Elder in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Biography with many photos
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Elder, Ruth |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American aviation pioneer and actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 8, 1902 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Anniston , Alabama |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 9, 1977 |
| Place of death | San Francisco , California |