The story of Donna Mae Anderson is one of my favorites in the collection because it touches on all the promises and disappointments a young woman faced in the struggle to serve as a military aviator.   

My research started off with firsthand accounts of Anderson’s knowledge of flying from John Warner, whose landings at Hooterville Airport were critiqued by Anderson.  But the best material came from the subject’s daughter, Diane Battiste.  Her search through family records turned up things that helped tell the story for us and, in some cases provided new details for the family.      

When the exhibit opened, Diana and her brother made trips from out of state to see Donna Mae, dressed in the uniform she aspired to wear, as a member of the Women Air Force Service Pilots. Her dream to serve was denied but her love of aviation lasted a lifetime.