"I’m not in it to win it, I’m in it to experience it."
In 1929, 20 female pilots, including Amelia Earhart, set off to fly from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio, in the first Women’s Air Derby. Nearly 100 years later, female pilots from across the nation are carrying the torch and continuing the tradition with the 49th Air Race Classic.
This month, Central Florida pilots Doralisa “Chady” Sherrod, 67, and Jemayla Nelsonwood, 28, will fly about 2,700 miles, making stops in 11 states to demonstrate their aviation abilities. The race starts at the St. Louis Regional Airport and ends four days later at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport, both in Illinois.
Sherrod said she’s eager to meet the more than 100 fellow female aviators competing in the event.
“I’m excited about meeting new people, flying longer than I’ve ever flown at one time and flying fast,” she said. “This event is really to promote women in aviation and promote camaraderie around the world with women in aviation. It’s great to introduce the world to women who fly.”
Read more at the Orlando Sentinel