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| by Suzie Johnson
Have you ever been at an airshow and watched a plane fly across your field
of vision as it breaks the sound barrier? It zips past the crowd in complete
silence. Just as you realize there’s no noise from the jet engine it disappears
from sight, followed by what can best be described as a roaring sonic boom.
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There’s no doubt about it.
Imagine then, how Jacqueline Cochran likely felt as she became the
first woman to break the sound barrier in her F-86 Sabre in 1953; and then again
in 1962 when she became the first woman to fly at MACH Two – twice the speed of sound. It must have
been an amazing feeling for someone who was so ashamed of her beginnings that she
legally changed her name, and then supposedly made up a story about being an
orphan.
For the adult Jacqueline, there were a lot of firsts. But this
fast-paced, successful lifestyle was far removed from the young “Bessie Pittman’s” childhood.
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| Jackie Cochran and Chuck Yeager |
There are as many conflicting reports on Jackie’s background as you
have time to read, making it difficult to know the truth. Was she an orphan? Kidnapped?
Raised in foster care? Or was she a girl whose family was so poor, she had to
steal chickens so they could eat?
I suspect only Jackie and her family knew the real truth. Some of her
family members publicly disputed her claims of being an orphan. It’s even said
that her sister was so traumatized by an interview Jackie gave to Life
Magazine, that the sister had a nervous breakdown and never really recovered.
Though the truth of her childhood may be in dispute along with her year
of birth – anywhere between 1906 and 1910 - her desire to fly, along with the
future the young pilot carved for herself, is not.
Jackie was working in a beauty shop, sweeping floors and learning how
to give permanents when a customer supposedly inspired her to become whatever
she wanted. She is said to have attended nursing school, met her future husband
either in New York or Miami, and somewhere in-between earned her pilot’s license.
Once she had that license she never looked back, and from here on out
her history cannot be disputed.
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| Distinguished Service Medal |
She won air races, flew with Amelia Earhart, served in the British Auxiliary
Transport Service, was instrumental in FDR’s formation of the Women’s Air Force
Service Pilots (WASPs), became the first woman to win the Distinguished Service
Medal, and even convinced her good friend Dwight Eisenhower to run for
president. She also convinced Walt Disney to create a cartoon as part of Eisenhower’s
presidential campaign.
And while she was at it, Jackie found time to set air speed records and
start a cosmetics company. When she could no longer fly, she bought an RV and
was said to have driven it all over the country. After her husband died, she
rode her bicycle in her garden.
Jackie was driven, and the stories about her are varied but exciting.
They’re also sad. In all my reading about this remarkable woman, I found no
mention of faith or spirituality. It makes me sad to think of someone living
their life with such eagerness and zest but not having a heart for God. I don’t
know that she didn’t. I’m not stating she didn’t. I just know if she did,
I can find no documentation of it.
The optimistic part of me wants to hope she did have a spiritual life
and that this woman with such desire for a high-octane life is flying somewhere in Heaven.
True
North is Suzie Johnson’s second novel. Her first novel, No Substitute, a contemporary
inspirational novel, is out now from White Rose Press of The Pelican Book
Group. She
is a regular contributor to the Inkwell Inspirations blog, a member of ACFW,
RWA, and is the cancer registrar at her local hospital. Suzie and her husband
live in the Pacific Northwest with their naughty little cat on an island that
is definitely not tropical. Together, they are the parents of a wonderful grown
son who makes them proud every day – even though he lives way too far away. You
can visit Suzie at the following places:
I've done some research on Jackie Cochran for a story I've been working on. She was truly a dynamo and actually led the WASPs after they were formed. A gallant group of young women for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more about her background, I hadn't really looked at either her history or what happened to her after the war.
Lisa, if you go to Eisenhower's presidential page and click on resources, she's under there and there are so many documents and letters, including the letter announcing her distinguished medal, letters from Disney and Nixon. Also, there are a couple of books she's written. I'm going to try and get them next time we go to the museum of flight.
ReplyDeleteExciting and inspiring post, Suzie.
ReplyDeleteShe reminds me of a movie I saw years ago - 70's or 80's. With Stockard Channing? Or was that a speed-racing one on wheels?
I didn't know that Suzie, that's really cool!
ReplyDeleteThis is good stuff, Suzie! And another reason why authors can make up a lot of stuff that seems 'contrived' when in fact, real life is stranger!
ReplyDeleteI bet that now that I've heard of her I'll see her name pop up more.
Thanks for a great post!
While I hope Jackie had her eyes & heart set on God, as I do for all, I admire her courageousness and daring zest for life. Makes me want to take more brave pills :)
ReplyDeleteWow, she was quite a lady! Suzie, you always share such interesting things with us. I'd never heard of her before.
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Deb. Some true stories would never sell if someone thought them up. :)
Sorry ladies. My work day was kind of huge today.
ReplyDeleteAnita, I don't know if I saw that movie. But Stockard Channing is funny.
There was so much more about her - it just wouldn't fit in one blog post. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Deb. I could tell you some stories that no one would ever believe was true, and no editor would touch because it wouldn't sound believable.
ReplyDeleteOh, Elaine, those brave pills - I need some, too. Especially when my son wants to take me on huge twisty fast roller coasters.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. You always share interesting things, too! I honestly can't remember if I'd ever heard of her before I saw books about her at the flight museum. I've always loved learning about historical women.
ReplyDeleteIts like you learn my mind! You seem to understand a
ReplyDeletelot about this, such as you wrote the guide in it or
something. I think that you could do with some percent
to power the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.
A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
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