Powder Puff Derby

The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum Proudly Presents: Betty Andresen; A Chicken Rancher’s Daughter Takes Flight: A Pictorial Tour.

“Born and raised in Petaluma, Betty grew up on a chicken ranch off Liberty road, Betty was heartbroken when she was denied the plane ride on a 1926 Ford tri-motor plane. There was only enough money ($5.00) for one ride which her brother enjoyed because he was older than Betty.

It was 1963 and Betty decided she was going to pursue her private pilot’s license. Betty was approached by Phyllis Cantrell, a commercial pilot and instructor to be her co-pilot for the 1965 Powder Puff Derby* race. After achieving her commercial pilot’s license Betty asked Louis Montero also of Petaluma to be her co-pilot. These races usually had 10 designated stops for refueling and to stop and start their timing plus other necessities.

Betty having a commercial pilot’s license was hired to fly an attorney to his business destinations. Betty became a private pilot through the 1980’s.

One interesting story: Betty was asked to fly off the coast of Jenner so that a passenger could scatter their aunt’s ashes over the coastline. When they reached the area, the passenger opened the door and attempted to throw out the ashes — they flew back into the cockpit. Betty had to quickly turn the plane around, and by turning the airplane around all the ashes flew out!”

Excerpt from Betty’s “My Memoirs”.

*Women’s Air Derby was the first official women-only air race in the United States, taking place during the 1929 National Air Race. Humorist Will Rogers referred to it as the Powder Puff Derby, the name by which it is the most commonly known. Nineteen pilots took off from Santa Monica, CA. on August 18, 1929.

The following slides are from Betty’s scrapbook and photo albums of her life’s desire to be a pilot and her dedicated work with the Zero Population Growth movement.