Inland Valley has fly girls, too
More than 65 years ago, when most people thought "glass ceiling" was an architectural term, more than a thousand women flew military planes on ferrying missions across the country. They were called Women Airforce Service Pilots and they will receive their Congressional Gold Medals tomorrow in Washington DC.
Some of those skilled pilots are Inland Valley residents -- Catherine Bridge of Claremont, Iris Critchell of Claremont and Pearl Judd of Rancho Cucamonga. I first wrote about them last August when President Barack Obama signed the bill authorizing the congressional honor.
Judd continues to speak at local schools and service clubs about her missions. She never flew again having tried once but airport officials didn't believe her past experience. Bridge taught grounds school and went on to run a citrus ranch with her husband Arthur Bridge. When they lived in Rancho Cucamonga, the Bridges were instrumental in the city's incorporation efforts. Critchell went on to a 70-year career in aviation and taught at Harvey Mudd College.
Some of those skilled pilots are Inland Valley residents -- Catherine Bridge of Claremont, Iris Critchell of Claremont and Pearl Judd of Rancho Cucamonga. I first wrote about them last August when President Barack Obama signed the bill authorizing the congressional honor.
Judd continues to speak at local schools and service clubs about her missions. She never flew again having tried once but airport officials didn't believe her past experience. Bridge taught grounds school and went on to run a citrus ranch with her husband Arthur Bridge. When they lived in Rancho Cucamonga, the Bridges were instrumental in the city's incorporation efforts. Critchell went on to a 70-year career in aviation and taught at Harvey Mudd College.
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