New book from Sarah Byrn Rickman

Let’s Make A Race of It!

The Story of Those Daring Women Who Flew The Powder Puff Derby,

1947-1977

          The war was over!  It was 1947. No longer were airplanes flying all over the United States –– at least the skies were far from crowded like they had been in ’44 and ’45.

          Several young women pilots –– known during the war as WASP –– were itching to get back in those planes, if only for the fun of it!!! They remembered what Ameila and Louise and the others had taught them. Then, in 1947, out of the blue an opportunity arose for a cross-country flight among members of The Ninety-Nines, a new international organization of women pilots.

          “Let’s make a race of it!”  And they did.

          What became the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR) was affectionately dubbed the Powder Puff Derby –– the name with which Will Rodgers had christened the women fliers in 1929. The story of the post-war, 30-year run of the AWTAR is told here by author/Ninety-Nine Sarah Byrn Rickman in her new book, Let’s Make A Race of It! The Story of Those Daring Women Who Flew The Powder Puff Derby, 1947-1977.

          In addition to memorable stories, the book includes extensive details for each race, including the flight route, winners, and historical photos, ensuring it will be a vital reference for historians for decades to come.

          In 2018, Iris Critchell –– my WASP friend from World War II ––told me the story of the AWTAR… how it started … how it grew.  Would I like to write about it? Thanks to her, I said yes. I was inspired by Iris, a WASP who flew the AWTAR 12 times.  She and pilot Alice Hammond took first place in 1957!

          “Would you be interested in writing a book about the AWTAR?” Iris asked me in 2018. At that point, I was the author of seven published books about women pilots. Already, I had others lined up. Still, my answer was “yes.” Beginning then, Iris made sure I had access to everything I needed to write the story of the AWTAR. I’m sad to say, she never got to read my “finished project”. I did try to have it fully written for her, but failed on that front. We lost Iris in January, 2025.         

Let’s Make a Race of It! will be published through a grant from The Ninety-Nines’ Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund Research Scholar Grant. The Ninety-Nines are the publishers of record.  Sales proceeds will go to the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund Research Scholar Grant.  The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Bookshop.org and other online stores.