The Minnie Wade Memorial Scholarship (MWMS) is awarded yearly by the Alabama 99s. I wanted to share some information about Minnie Wade and her family.
Photo: 1963 | Alabama 99s meeting in Decatur, Alabama.
Minnie Wade took flying lessons from her husband, Charles Wade, at the Clanton, Alabama airport. In 1940, at 31, she soloed and quickly became a licensed pilot. Charles managed the Clanton Airport until he died 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 woman 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 and the Southeast Section Governor in 1961. She enjoyed the fellowship the Ninety-Nines provided and participated in Chapter, Section, and International activities. 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. The Alabama 99s first awarded the scholarship 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 awarded this scholarship will remember Minnie Wade and her contributions to the Ninety-Nines and the flying community.
The MWMS amount is $1500, and the application is due to the Alabama 99s MWMS Chair, Ramona Banks, by December 15. Any Alabama 99s, a female family member of an Alabama 99s, or a female residing in Alabama can apply for the scholarship. An applicant must hold a current medical and have at least 10 hours of flight instructions. Please see the MWMS Application for more information.