Will You Help?
A cracked and sinking concrete slab
floor in the collection storage area of the international women
pilots' organization, The Ninety-Nines, Inc., is putting its
aviation collection at risk. The problem was discovered during a
remodeling project in the headquarters building.
In fulfillment of its mission statement to "preserve the unique
history of women in aviation," The 99s has elected to replace both
the slab and the ground fill underneath the slab in that area.
President Elaine Morrow said, "We acknowledge our responsibility
to our donors and members, and our role as steward of this aviation
collection. To provide for its care and accessibility to
researchers, our Board of Directors committed to a course of action
that will provide not only a strong physical and scholarly
foundation but also the best long-term solution to this potentially
overwhelming situation."
The collection is temporarily stored in The 99s Museum where it
is being thoroughly catalogued, inventoried and re-housed in new
storage media. After completion, the entire collection will be
searchable via a collections software program that will include a
digital image of the object.
According to Dr. Jacque Boyd, author and Amelia Earhart Research
Grant coordinator, the new system will "benefit researchers
immensely by making identification and retrieval of materials
almost instantaneous."
As part of the remodeling, an isolated control system that
maintains optimum temperature and humidity levels and a new fire
suppression system were installed. Ceiling tiles were removed to
eliminate the potential for moisture. A new shelving system and
cabinets have been ordered, but the project is at a standstill
until the floor is completed.
For over 50 years, The 99s has been collecting artifacts that
represent the successes and failures of women throughout aviation
history. The collection includes photographs, newspaper and
magazine articles, letters, many first edition books, personal
artifacts such as pilot certificates and jewelry, and equipment
like plotters, compasses, and charts, including the original
navigation charts drawn for Amelia Earhart for her failed, first,
around-the-world attempt in March, 1937.
The 99s displays its collection in two museums, The Amelia
Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, KS, and The 99s Museum of
Women Pilots in Oklahoma City.
If you'd like to assist The 99s in preserving this important
part of aviation history, contact Headquarters Manager Liz Lundin
at 800-994-1929 or mail your tax-deductible donation to The
Ninety-Nines, Inc., 4300 Amelia Earhart Rd., Oklahoma City,
OK 73159-1140.