Jacqueline Cochran, cosmetics executive and world-famous aviatrix, was the product of obscure origins. Born Bessie Pittman about 1906 in northwest Florida, she was the youngest of five children of Ira and Mary (Grant) Pittman. The Pittmans were an impoverished family that moved from one town to another in search of work. Even as a child, Bessie possessed an unusual amount of drive and ambition. She resented the limited opportunities available to her in such an environment, especially after she was told the Pittmans were not her real parents, but had merely raised her from infancy. At an early age Bessie left home and changed her name to “Jacqueline Cochran.” Although she renounced the Pittman name, and never publicly revealed the identity of her foster family, she remained in contact with her foster parents and later contributed to the support of their children and grandchildren.
After briefly studying to be a nurse, Ms. Cochran obtained a job in a beauty parlor in Pensacola, Florida. In 1932 she was working as a beautician in an exclusive store in New York City. Shortly thereafter, she began developing her own line of cosmetics. In the mid-thirties, she founded her own company, Jacqueline Cochran Incorporated.
Although her cosmetics business brought her widespread recognition, Ms. Cochran is chiefly remembered for her aeronautical activities. In 1932, while living in New York City, a friend offered her a ride in an airplane. Entranced by the flight, Ms. Cochran took flying lessons and made her first solo flight after only a few hours instruction. She later bought her own plane and flew it around the country while developing her cosmetics business.
From her earliest days as a pilot, Ms. Cochran was interested in air racing. During the 1930s, she entered as many races as she could. The first was the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, Australia. She also entered the annual National Air Races and in 1938 became the first woman to win the prestigious Bendix Trophy.
Ms. Cochran’s racing activities in the 1930s brought her a wide acquaintance among the famous pilots of the day. An especially close friend was Amelia Earhart who spent several days relaxing at Ms. Cochran’s ranch prior to departing on her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937. Other friends who were famous pilots included Ben Howard, Paul Mantz, Tex Rankin and Roscoe Turner. Ms. Cochran was also active in various aeronautical organizations, particularly the National Aeronautical Association (NAA), and the Ninety-Nines, a group of professional women pilots.
By 1941 Jacqueline Cochran was one of the most famous women pilots in the United States. Keenly aware of the Nazi threat to Europe, she approached the U.S. Army Air Corps and suggested the possibility of using women as ferry pilots in wartime. When her initial proposals were turned down she went to England (becoming in the process the only woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic in World War II) and volunteered her services to the Royal Air Force. For several months she worked for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), a branch of the Royal Air Force. Her work involved recruiting qualified women pilots in the United States and taking them to England where they joined the ATA.
In 1942, following U.S. entry into World War II, the Air Force recognized the need for additional pilots. Ms. Cochran’s earlier proposals were resurrected and she was invited back to the U.S. to head a program for training women pilots. As head of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) she supervised the training of over one thousand women, many of whom performed distinguished service flying experimental Air Force planes.
Jacqueline Cochran’s interest and involvement in politics led to a close friendship with Dwight D. Eisenhower. In February 1952 she helped sponsor a massive rally on General Eisenhower’s behalf at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The rally was recorded and Ms. Cochran flew the film to France for a special showing at General Eisenhower’s headquarters. The show of support was a major factor in convincing General Eisenhower to run for president in 1952.
During the 1952 campaign Ms. Cochran persuaded employees at Walt Disney Studios to produce an animated cartoon in support of Eisenhower’s candidacy. She attended the Republican National Convention in Chicago in July and assisted with arrangements for General Eisenhower’s visit to Los Angeles in October. Dwight Eisenhower appreciated Ms. Cochran’s efforts and remained a close friend for the rest of his life. He frequently vacationed at Ms. Cochran’s ranch in California and wrote portions of his memoirs there after leaving office.
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DOCUMENTS
Letter and Survey to all women holders of licenses, July 29, 1941
Air Transport Auxiliary agreement, January 24, 1942
Memorandum regarding Requirements for Ferry Pilots, September 11, 1942
Press release regarding Jacqueline Cochran's appointment as Director of Women's Flying Training, September 14, 1942
Memorandum regarding Hiring Civilian Women Pilots, September 15, 1942
Jacqueline Cochran's employment with the British Air Transport Auxiliary, February 10, 1943
English Ferry Pool Contract, undated
Form letter regarding the British Air Transport Auxiliary, undated
Memorandum regarding Incorporation of Women Civilian Pilots and Trainees into Army Air Force, June 14, 1943
Memorandum from General H.H. Arnold appointing Jacqueline Cochran director of the Office of Special Assistant for Women Pilots, June 21, 1943
Suggested report to be released in response to unfavorable reports to proposed militarization of the WASPs, 1943
Jacqueline Cochran's Efficiency Rating, March 31, 1944
“American Women Pilots,” September 3, 1943
Publicity notice for General Arnold's report to the Secretary of the War, October 18, 1943
Letter, Hazel Taylor, WASP Public Relations to Ralph Cohen, National Aeronautics, on WASP program, January 21, 1944
Memorandum from General H.H. Arnold deactivating WASP program, October 1, 1944
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to WASPs regarding disbandment, October 12, 1944
Press release, November 16, 1944
Material for Annual Report, November 25, 1944
Press release regarding Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Jacqueline Cochran, March 1, 1945
WASP Final Report, June 1, 1945
News announcement regarding the New York campaign rally, February 12, 1952
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to General Eisenhower, February 15, 1952
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to Sigurd Larmon, February 25, 1952
Letter, General Eisenhower to Jacqueline Cochran, March 18, 1952
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to Mrs. Earl Moulton, June 13, 1952
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to General Lucius Clay, June 15, 1952
Certificate, July 1952
Letter, Jacqueline Cochran to Mrs. Emily Collins, August 8, 1952
Letter, Bernard Brennan to Jacqueline Cochran, September 19, 1952
Postcard, Richard Nixon to Jacqueline Cochran, September 29, 1952
Letter, Roy Disney to Jacqueline Cochran, November 14, 1952
Letter, Bill Anderson, Walt Disney Productions, to Jacqueline Cochran, November 19, 1952
Photographs
Jacqueline Cochran Photographs
