1927 Transatlantic Pilot Ruth Elder from Anniston Remembered in Historical Fiction
Birmingham, AL -- Before Amelia Earhart, three female pilots attempted the transatlantic journey made famous by Charles Lindbergh, the subject of Laurie Notaro's new historical fiction, Crossing the Horizon. Elsie Mackay, daughter of an Earl, is the first Englishwoman to get her pilot’s license. Mabel Boll, a glamorous society darling and former cigar girl, is ardent to make the historic flight. Beauty pageant contestant Ruth Elder uses her winnings for flying lessons and becomes the preeminent American girl of the sky. Ruth Elder, from Anniston, Alabama, was the first woman to attempt flying across the Atlantic towards Paris with co-pilot George Haldeman, October 11, 1927. An emergency landing was made in the Atlantic due to an oil leak in their Stinson Detroiter, 'American Girl.'
Their infamous flight which was honored in 1927 with a tickertape parade in New York City will be hailed locally 89 years later. Thursday, October 20, 2016, the families of Ruth Elder and George Haldeman will reunite for the first time in 80 years at the book signing for Laurie Notaro's Crossing the Horizon, starting at 6 PM at the Southern Museum of Flight. 6 PM, enjoy an historic look at women in early aviation from 1903-1927. 6:30 Laurie Notaro will host a VIP book signing in the Shadow Gallery. 7 PM, Ms. Notaro will introduce the Elder and Haldeman families along with original film clips and photos of the women. The Ninety-Nines: international organization of women pilots, Alabama President, Ramona Banks, will also give a presentation. The audience is welcome to ask questions after the program as well as tour the museum's women in aviation displays and artifacts which includes Ruth Elder's pilot's helmet.
Tickets for the book signing event can be found at AlabamaBooksmith.com. Proceeds from the event will support the Southern Museum of Flight's Mary Alice Beatty scholarship for young women ages 19-30 pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.
The museum is located in East Lake, two blocks from the Birmingham International Airport, at 4343 73rd Street North, 35206. The Southern Museum of Flight is dedicated to investigating, preserving, and promoting the rich stories of Southern Aviation and to providing exciting, interactive educational programming for people of all ages. Through collaborative partnerships with the community, the Southern Museum of Flight provides a continuum of exhibitions, displays, and educational services with a sincere devotion to cultural and historical literacy.
For information: www.southernmuseumofflight.org and tickets at http://www.alabamabooksmith.com/event/evening-laurie-notaro-southern-museum-flight-crossing-horizon
