American women played a large role in the WWI war effort, and when the war ended many were eager to expand their expertise. This yearning, paired with popular female aviation pioneers such as Amelia Earhart and Beryl Markham, led to a surge of female flight schools and clubs in the years between WWI & WWII. The Betsy Ross Corps was founded in 1931 by Opal Kunz and its goal was to train and license female pilots so they could serve domestically should another war arise. Early members of the Betsy Ross Corps included pioneers of the sport such as Marjorie Stinson, Phoebe Omlie, Florence "Pancho" Barnes, and Manila Davis. At the Corps' founding ceremony in 1931, Major General James E. Fenchet highlighted the importance of female pilots: "Women have exceeded men at golf and tennis and in other ventures. In future wars, superior women pilots will be developed. Women pilots will actually be in combat some day." Gen. Fechet was exactly right - the Betsy Ross Corps became a forerunner of WWII female pilot programs like WASP & WAC. This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.

20 x 13 in