The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots has received a $1 million bequest from the son of one of the founding members of the group.
The $1 million bequest from Frederic Messenger (Bill) Wallingford, Jr., the son of Josephine Wood Wallingford, will be placed in an investment fund to provide for educational outreach programs, aviation awareness programs, and support programs at the organization’s two museums: The 99s Museum of Women Pilots in Oklahoma City, and the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas, according to 99s officials.
Wallingford, who made his money in oil, mining and real estate, died in 2023.
He first reached out to the group following the death of his mother on Sept. 11, 2004.
The only child of the pioneering aviator, Wallingford visited the Ninety-Nines Museum in Oklahoma City in 2005.
Inspired by the museum’s vast collection of resource materials about women in aviation and aerospace — including archival records, personal memorabilia, oral histories, books, art, films, photographs, and biographical files — Wallingford made a generous donation at that time to the museum to establish an endowment fund, according to Ninety-Nines officials.
“Not only was Mr. Wallingford justifiably very proud of his mother’s remarkable accomplishments at a time when very few women learned to fly, the museum and the Ninety-Nines left a lasting impression on him,” officials noted. “His most recent gift reflects his belief that the Ninety-Nines help to give women independence by providing scholarships and camaraderie and regards his mother as ‘the pilot that would have been.'”
Josephine Wood Wallingford, known as Jodie, was born March 28, 1912. She and her sister, Frances Wood Adair, took flying lessons as teenagers at Jim Granger’s school at Clover Field in Santa Monica, California, now known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO).
While it is not known if Frances completed her training, Jodie earned Private Pilot License #9129 and in October 1929, at the age of 17, became one of youngest founding members of the newly formed Ninety-Nines.
Two years later, she received a Limited Commercial rating that enabled her to fly for hire and reward, but restricted operations to Day VFR flight.
Jodie married another pilot, Frederic Messenger Wallingford, but stopped flying in the early 1930s due to financial constraints of the Great Depression.
Soon after the birth of their only child in July 1937, the couple divorced. Her ex-husband died in a plane crash in 1942.
After the divorce, Jodie made the decision to stop flying and moved in with her mother in Vernon, Texas, after the death of her father.
While she never flew again, Jodie provided for her son and her ailing mother and sister. The local newspaper, the Vernon Daily Record, reported she enjoyed a busy life filled with social events at the Tivoli Club, Christmas parties at Vernon’s New Orient Hotel, and frequent bridge tournaments, which she often won.
For more information: Ninety-Nines.org
What a beautiful, thoughtful and generous gift to honor his mother. Many young women will benefit.
This is a wonderful story and such a generous gift that will keep on giving. As a member of the 99s, I know what a supportive organization it is for women looking for mentors and financial encouragement. Thank you
Awesome story! Mr. Wallingford learned something very special from his mother – kindness and generosity. She gave up flying altogether when she realized her responsibilities to her ailing mother and raising her son. Decades later, he never forgot that sacrifice and chose to honor and memorialize her through The 99s. As a 99 myself, I am impressed and grateful as I am sure other members are, as well. We know it will be put to good use, and only hope others consider our organization a worthy investment, too. Thank you for sharing this news!