Photo Essay: A Closer Look at Some of the Female Pilots Who Made History in the 1950s and 60s
Recently I had the chance to dig through volumes of Trixie’s old photo albums, scrapbooks, and journals. As an avid writer and journalist, she was certainly adept at cataloging her many personal reflections and experiences. Luckily for me, this made my job of pulling together Fate on a Folded Wing not only fascinating, but fun.
With that being said, I wanted to take this opportunity to simply share some of the interesting photos and newspaper articles I came across as it pertains to women’s flight history, and specifically the Ninety-Nines. Please enjoy the following photo essay.
The Ninety Nines 20th Anniversary luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Photo dated October 5, 1949. Jacqueline Cochran seated at head table, alongside other notable pioneers in American aviation. Trixie is seated just below the American flag in the upper left-hand corner of this photo.Trixie (left) is pictured with Australian pilot Ruth Bonney, Beth McQueen, and Matilde Moisant. Moisant was an American pioneer aviator. She was the second woman in the United States to get a pilot’s license.Trixie (third from left) pictured with several fellow pilots including Ruth Elder (fifth from left). Elder was an aviation pioneer and actress. She carried private pilot certificate P675, and was known as the “Miss America of Aviation.” She was a charter member of the Ninety-Nines.Seventh annual banquet for All Woman Transcontinental Air Race at the Lafayette Hotel in Long Beach, CA. Photo dated July 8, 1953.“Flying time is logged when you can get it in between raising a family or working as a lab technician for Mrs. Trixie-Ann Schubert, left, and Shirley Blocki, last year’s winner of the Ninety-Nines All Woman Transcontinental Air Race. Planning for the annual event is an all year ’round job, mostly by women like Mrs. Schubert who love doing the job even if it means taking daughters, Heidi-Dell and Patrice Ann, along.““Trixie Ann Schubert, standing next to wing, holds her baby Norman, 1 1/2; Shirley Robinson, on wing, holds Johnnie. On ground, Suzanne Robinson reads to rest of youngsters, left to right, Patrice Schubert, Sandra Robinson, Heidi Schubert and Arthur Robinson.While moms fly at Whiteman Air Park in Pacoima, youngsters wait on ground for their return.““Above, getting ready to take off on a flight from El Monte Airport, are, left to right, with their children, Mrs. Norma Wilcox, Mrs. Katherine Wagner, Mrs. Trixie Ann Schubert and Mrs. Shirley Robinson. They are members of the San Fernando Chapter of the organization which includes the Pasadena, CA area.“A picture from the Los Angeles chapter of the 99s Stardust Banquet at the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica on September 17, 1955. Trixie and husband Del are seated at the table just left of the table in the center of photo, toward the front of the photo.
“Flight planning is a family affair for Mrs. Delwyn Schubert whose children Heidi, Patrice and Norman, from left, fly with her.“
Trixie pictured with Betty Miller, first woman to solo fly across the Pacific Ocean (center), and broadcast news journalist Ruth Ashton. Photo dated May 15, 1963. An accompanying May 1963 newspaper article to the standalone photo pictured just above.Trixie takes part in the 12th Annual All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), better known as the Powder Puff Derby, which came into being in 1947. The AWTAR held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977.Based on my records, it was this particular flight that prompted Trixie to write the letter to her children that is featured in the beginning of Fate on a Folded Wing.
it was a coincidence to see „Fate on a folder wing„ in the Internet. I ordered this book on May, 29, 2020 and I am
very excited to get it. The reason: 1959 – 1961, I have been the „Babysitter“ of Patrice, Heidi and Norman Schubert
during their time in Wiesbaden/Germany. I remember to Mrs. Trixie Ann and Mr. Delwyn Schubert so well and her
destiny was so terrible. Meanwhile I have found a lot of information about Patrice Vacek and of cource your mother,
Heidi Syslo. Over 55 years I did´t hear anything about both, becauce l did´t not have their married name.
Last week I have wrote an email to your mother – found in the internet – sent her some letters from the past time,
but until today I did not get an answer. I hope she is well in this Corona-Pandemie.
It should be very kindly to hear something of you,
best Karin Theess
Fate on a Folded Wing 
Totally LOVE these wonderful photos!!! ❤
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Dear Mrs. Brown,
it was a coincidence to see „Fate on a folder wing„ in the Internet. I ordered this book on May, 29, 2020 and I am
very excited to get it. The reason: 1959 – 1961, I have been the „Babysitter“ of Patrice, Heidi and Norman Schubert
during their time in Wiesbaden/Germany. I remember to Mrs. Trixie Ann and Mr. Delwyn Schubert so well and her
destiny was so terrible. Meanwhile I have found a lot of information about Patrice Vacek and of cource your mother,
Heidi Syslo. Over 55 years I did´t hear anything about both, becauce l did´t not have their married name.
Last week I have wrote an email to your mother – found in the internet – sent her some letters from the past time,
but until today I did not get an answer. I hope she is well in this Corona-Pandemie.
It should be very kindly to hear something of you,
best Karin Theess
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Hello Karin! Thank you for reaching out. This is so exciting! Please email me to tiffanyabrown1@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with Heidi.
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