The Alabama 99s have a yearly $500 scholarship that is given out in January at the Amelia Earhart Luncheon. Below is the story of Minnie Wade and why she is memorialized in our scholarship.
The Scholarship will be open to any Alabama Ninety-Nine member, a family member of an Alabama Ninety-Nine, or a female residing in Alabama. The deadline for submission of the application to the Alabama Chapter is Dec. 15, 2018. Please download the application to read more about the requirements.
Alabama Ninety-Nine Minnie Wade
Mrs. Minnie Wade took flying lessons from her husband, Charles Wade, at the Clanton Alabama airport. In 1940, at the age of 31, she soloed and became a licensed pilot quickly afterward. Charles managed Clanton Airport until his death in 1978.
Minnie was the mother of four daughters and two sons. She encouraged all of her children to become pilots. Their father gave them flight lessons, and each of Minnie’s children soloed on their 16th birthday.
In the flying community, Minnie’s family was known as “the flying Wades”. Minnie’s love of aviation continued through the following generations with over 30 Wade descendants soloing on their 16th birthdays. Minnie’s daughter, Minnie Coggins, was the first women in Alabama to earn a certified instrument flight instructor rating.
Minnie joined the Alabama Chapter of the Ninety-Nine a few months after its establishment in 1955. Minnie was a Life Member of the Ninety-Nines and was a member for over 50 years. She held all the offices in the Alabama Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, as well as the Southeast Section Governor in 1961. She enjoyed the fellowship that the Ninety-Nines provided and participated in activities at the Chapter, Section, and International level.
Minnie shared her love of flying with everyone. Minnie flew in numerous air races and poker runs throughout her long aviation career. She happily opened her summer beach home for Chapters meetings, creating unforgettable memories for all who attended.
Minnie passed away in February 1991. The Alabama Ninety-Nines established a scholarship in her name and first awarded it in 1994 to Minnie’s granddaughter, Carla Gilroy, to help her achieve her dream of completing her instrument rating.
Minnie will live on in the memories of all who knew her. With this scholarship, we hope all of the Alabama Ninety-Nines and the women who are award this scholarship will remember Minnie Wade and her contributions to the Ninety-Nines and the flying community.