Louise McPhetridge Thaden, an Arkansas native, is remembered as a pioneering female pilot who made significant contributions to the field of aviation. Born in Bentonville in 1905, Thaden’s passion for flying was sparked after taking a plane ride with a barnstormer. She went on to earn her pilot’s certificate in 1928, becoming the fourth woman to do so in the United States and marrying fellow aviator Herbert von Thaden that same year.
Thaden excelled in aviation competitions, setting numerous records for altitude, endurance, and speed, and was the first woman to hold all three records simultaneously. She also won the first National Women’s Air Derby in 1929, beating well-known female aviators such as Amelia Earhart. Thaden continued to break barriers in aviation, becoming the first woman to win the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race in 1936, setting a new transcontinental record from New York to Los Angeles.
Beyond her achievements in aviation, Thaden was a founding member of The Ninety-Nines, an association of licensed female pilots, and worked for the Bureau of Air Commerce during WWII. In recognition of her contributions, the Bentonville airport was renamed Louise M. Thaden Field in her honor.
Thaden’s legacy continues to be honored, with the opening of the Thaden School in Bentonville in 2017 and her induction into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. Her impact on the field of aviation and her pioneering spirit have left a lasting mark on history.
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