The All Women Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR) was a premier women's race held from 1947 to 1977. Margaret K. "Bebe" Ragaz of Marion, North Carolina, earned her private pilot's license in 1961. She was active in the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, was instrumental in establishing Shiflet Field in McDowell County, NC, and flew in several AWTAR races. This collection consists of approximately 0.75 cubic feet of material relating to Ragaz's participation in AWTAR events along with her daughters Susan and Kathy. Material in the collection includes photographs, aeronautical charts, flight plans, AWTAR programs and commemorative albums, and news clippings.
The All Women Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR) was a premier women's race held from 1947 to 1977 continuing the legacy and in honor of the pioneering 1929 Women's Air Derby, also known as the Powder Puff Derby, of the National Air Races. In 1947, the Ninety-Nines, the first women pilot organization (formed after the 1929 Air Derby), organized the AWTAR race which continued until 1977. In 1978, the race was reorganized as the Air Race Classic (ARC) which continues to this day.
Margaret K. "Bebe" Ragaz of Marion, North Carolina, earned her private pilot's license in 1961, becoming the first woman pilot in her county. She earned a commercial license in 1971 and held leadership positions in the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines. Ragaz and her husband were instrumental in establishing Shiflet Field in McDowell County, NC. Bebe flew in her first AWTAR race as co-pilot with Barbara Ann O'Connor in 1970 in O'Connor's Beechcraft Debonair. Ragaz's daughters Susan and Kathy both earned their licenses and flew separately with their mother in five air races. In 1977, Bebe and Susan placed 10th in their Cessna Skyhawk 172H.
Identifier
NASM.2024.0021
Creator
Ragaz, Margaret K. "Bebe"
Date
1960s to 1970s
Provenance
Margaret K. "Bebe" Ragaz, Gift, 2024, NASM.2024.0021
Extent
0.74 Cubic feet (1 legal document case and 1 slim legal document case)
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of approximately 0.75 cubic feet of material relating to Margaret K. "Bebe" Ragaz's participation in All Women Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR) events along with her daughters Susan and Kathy. Material in the collection includes photographs, aeronautical charts, flight plans, AWTAR programs and commemorative albums, and news clippings.
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged by type of material.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Citation
Margaret K. "Bebe" Ragaz Air Racing Collection, NASM.2024.0021, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.