Scott, Blanche (1885–1970)

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Scott, Blanche (1885–1970)

American aviator. Name variations: Blanche Stuart Scott. Born in Rochester, New York, April 8, 1885; died Jan 12, 1970, in Rochester; attended Fort Edward College, New York.

The 1st American woman to fly an airplane, drove from New York to San Francisco in a car (1910), only the 2nd woman to do so; took 1st solo airplane flight by a woman (1910), albeit by accident when a sudden wind lifted her training plane above the runway; made her 1st flight across the country (1912), a 69-day trip; barnstormed with a flying exhibition team (1912–16); switched careers to screenwriting and radio broadcasting (1920s); invited to fly in a US Air Force Shooting Star jet fighter (1948), became the 1st woman to fly in a jet.

See also Women in World History.

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