OLLI Talks: The Dragonfly Girls: WASPS of WWII (DRAKE HALL)
OSHR 3314In the midst of World War II, daring women traded convention for the cockpit to support military air efforts. Between 1942 and 1944, over 25,000 women applied for the WASP (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots) program. Only 1,102 of these women succeeded in becoming WASPS. Some ferried airplanes from factories to bases. Some became tow pilots for gunnery practice. Others were sent for more training to learn to fly B-17s and B-24s. Thirty-eight of them died in service to their country, yet they were not given veteran status until 1977.
Come to this class and learn about the amazing women who broke both glass ceilings and military barriers while proving they were just as competent in the air as men.
Ann Lowry, Ph.D., is the author of the award-winning novel The Blue Trunk. Her debut novel was inspired by the discovery of a family heirloom—a travel trunk from Norway. Ann’s writing dives deep into the complexities of relationships, conflict, and the human condition. Reviewers have noted that she provides sharp social commentary in her writing. She has made significant contributions to academic journals, authored insightful opinion pieces, and crafted content for various platforms, including Writer’s Digest, Women’s Writers/Women’s Fiction, and Girl Talk HQ. She has also appeared on several podcasts and been interviewed on television and radio, discussing genealogy research and the treatment of mentally ill patients in the early 1900s. When not writing, Ann enjoys a range of activities, hiking, skiing, swimming, golfing, and baking. She treasures moments with her therapy dog, Loki, and cherishes time with her family. She is always eager to explore new adventures in life and storytelling. Ann lives in Timnath, Colorado.
Learner Outcomes
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