Hey, everyone! Here is the third in our series of blogs about women pilots in Alaskan aviation history!
Mary Barrows Worthylake was the first woman pilot trained and licensed in Alaska! In 1931, she moved to Anchorage with her first husband, Joe Barrows, when he became the manager at Pacific International Airways. While her husband was often away for work, Mary began taking flying lessons at Merrill Field, to see if she could do it. Being a quick learner, she was one of the four members of her twelve person class to earn her license, and the only woman to do so! She first soloed on July 27, 1932 and got her license in September of that year. She was one of the first members of the Alaska Ninety-Nines.
Mary Barrows Worthylake was the first woman pilot trained and licensed in Alaska! In 1931, she moved to Anchorage with her first husband, Joe Barrows, when he became the manager at Pacific International Airways. While her husband was often away for work, Mary began taking flying lessons at Merrill Field, to see if she could do it. Being a quick learner, she was one of the four members of her twelve person class to earn her license, and the only woman to do so! She first soloed on July 27, 1932 and got her license in September of that year. She was one of the first members of the Alaska Ninety-Nines.
Mary Worthylake soloed a Star Air Service Fleet at Anchorage in 1932. Photograph, caption, and information from Women Pilots of Alaska by Sandi Sumner (2005) and Heroes of the Horizon by Gerry Bruder (1991).
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