Fran … I don’t care who “started” an aviation organization … not one of the major aviation groups or major aviation companies today discriminates against women. We’re not talking about private fraternal organizations like the QB’s but formal aviation organizations like AOPA, EAA, ALPA, NBAA, FAA or any other. Name me one that doesn’t allow female membership or support female aviation aspirations or otherwise discriminates against women in 2019. I’m waiting, I’m retired and I have beer so …
I just did additional research. Seems the 99’s were founded at Curtis airport (Valley Stream, NY) in 1929 by 26 of the (then) 117 female aviators. Amelia called for a meeting and 99 of 'em showed up … hence the name. In the 90 years since, the organization has grown ‘phenomenally’ from 99 to 5,159 members in 155 Chapters world wide (2017). Wow! In the 1978 ‘99 News,’ an article reprinted from the Arizona Republic reported that 47,294 of the 784,000 pilots were females (6%). 41 years later, they’re currently reporting 42,694 of 609,306 pilots are females (7%). Hmmm … looks to me as if that percentage is the ‘sweet spot’ and all that tax free AEMSF 501(c)3 money isn’t having much impact. “Systemic bias,” Christopher. Give me a break. The opportunities are there – better than ever before in 2019 – yet the percentages remain historically static.
In the interest of helping “grow” pilots in a gender neutral fashion, I decided to join so I downloaded the 99’s membership application. Looks like I’m outta luck because it specifically says, “Women only.” Hmmm … if you’re gender confused, can you then join? “They” got admittance to the Boy Scouts and all I got was … a rejection. See the problem? Like I said … Misandry !! You better change that application form right away before the IRS finds out, Jan. While you’re at it, you might try reading the 14th Amendment and its interpretations, too.