This collection consists of research material used by National Air and Space Curator Claudia Oakes to prepare the publication United States Women in Aviation through World War I (Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1978).
Scope and Contents:
The material in this collection consists of photographs, photocopies of news clippings, correspondence, and biographies of the women who participated in the aviation field, not only in the United States but throughout the world, from 1880 through World War I. The women highlighted include: Ada Acosta, Ruth Law, Helene Dutrieu, Julia Clark, Alys McKey Bryant, Tiny Broadwick, Bernetta Miller, Matilde Moisant, Mary "Carlotta" Myers, Bessica Raiche, Harriet Quimby, Blanche Stuart Scott, Neta Snook, and Katherine and Marjorie Stinson.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged accordingly:
Series I: Photographs
Series II: Claudia Oakes' Notes
Series III: Subject Files
The first group of materials contains photographs of the women who participated in the aviation field, not only in the United States but throughout the world, from 1880 through World War I. Most photographs are identified by subject (pilot or aircraft name), date, captions, and, whenever possible, by Smithsonian's negative numbers.
The second group of materials includes the author's written notes and correspondence.
The third group of documents provides valuable biographical information about specific aviatrixes. These files are arranged in alphabetical order by subject.
Biographical / Historical:
This collection of photographs, written notes, articles, photocopies of news clippings, correspondence, and biographies was used by Claudia M. Oakes to prepare the publication, United States Women in Aviation Through World War I (Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, D.C., 1978). She donated these materials sometime after the book's completion.
Provenance:
Claudia M. Oakes, transfer, 1989
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.