Waco, Texas, Baylor Studio: WASP Anita Paul, aka Sister Teresa

flew in from  Guadeloupe, French Antillies for her interview after receiving special permission from Rome.

Austin, Texas: Nancy Parrish, WASP Millie Dalrymple and Joani Livingston, PBS Producer, Director KCTF who drove with us to Austin to shoot the interview. 

Witchita Falls, Texas:  Our first road trip north.
WASP Marion Hodgson, WASP Deanie and Nancy Parrish 

Marion’s book: WINNING MY WINGS is a must read!

 Marion outside her home with 

a sweet little PT 17.

KWBU Studio at Baylor University, Waco, Texas: WASP Shutsy Reynolds, who flew in from Connelsville, Pa. for this interview, with Baylor crew Natalie Burkholder, WASP Deanie Parrish, and Liz Hall.

Galveston, Texas: WASP Barbara Heinrich, WASP Deanie Parrish, Nancy Parrish.  Barbara was class 43-4 and was stationed at Love Field with the Ferry Command. Her story about being issued a revolver as part of her equipment 

is one of my favorites!

Austin, Texas: WASP Susie Bain and WASP Deanie Parrish 

in Susie’s treetop home near LadyBird Lake. Her bottom floor had a beautiful mirrored dance studio and a great view of her beautiful garden.

Ingram, Texas: WASP Nan Hazeltine, WASP Deanie Parrish, Nancy Parrish. When we arrived, Nan was on her way to the ER Vet with her dogs, so she encouraged us to set up and she’d be right back.  She was. Thankfully, the dogs would be fine.  Just a few porcupine quills.

Waco, Texas: WASP Rose Alice Palmer, WASP Deanie Parrish, 

Nancy Parrish In the Baylor Studio. Rose came to Waco several weeks before, to see her old baymate, Anita Paul, aka Sister Teresa.  What a joy for them both!

Austin, Texas:  WASP Kay and Col Al D’Arezzo. We interviewed Al a few weeks later. He was a proud Army Col. who survived the Baattan Death March, taught at West Point  and so much more 

La Fiera, Texas: WASP Muriel Martin, WASP Deanie Parrish. Muriel;s passion for horses and her family were inspiring.

La Fiera, Texas: WASP Muriel Martin and her favorite horse, beautfiul and so sweet.

San Antonio, Texas: WASP Madge Moore and WASP Deanie Parrish, classmates from 44-W-4.

Madge’s family heirloom quilts. Beautiful work.

San Antonio, Texas: WASP Betty Shipley, WASP Deanie and Nancy Parrish

Houston, Texas: WASP Deanie Parrish, Dr. June, Lancaster Hotel Manager, WASP Gloria Heath.  Gloria was from Greenwich, Connecticut but was attending a conference in Houston.  We were so grateful we were able interview her… and grateful the hotel provided the perfect space.

Odessa, Texas.  KOCV Odessa College TV control room.  

WASP Ruth Florey (on screen) and volunteer crew.

Waco, Texas: WASP Rita Wischmeyer in the Wings Office Studio.  This sweet WASP drove in with her daughter to spend her afternoon sharing her story.

Fredericksburg, Texas:  WASP Rosa Lea Fullwood, WASP Deanie Parrish

Rosa Lea surrounded by her Ballroom Dancing Trophies

Alice, Texas: WASP Maxine Flournoy and WASP Deanie Parrish

Alice, Texas: Nancy and WASP Deanie Parrish with Lucien 

and WASP Maxine Flournoy at their airplane hangar.

Sweetwater, Texas: WASP Instructor Harl Pinkard (a favorite of the trainees) and his sweet wife, Tula Mae.  They invited us to church the next day. and we went! So glad we did.

San Antonio, Texas: WASP Ann Holladay, WASP Deanie Parrish, Nancy Parrish. 

Ann had some wonderful stories about Hollywood friends during the war.

WASP Ann Holiday with her life-like hand-carved birds.  Yes, they are awesome! 

Beautiful creations!

Victoria, Texas:  WASP Eleanor Micky Brown.  Post WASP Micky became passionate about feeding the hungry .  She could cook for hundreds at a time.

Houston, Texas: WASP Sandy Thompson.  Sandy’s husband, Braxton, was her commanding officer and a B-26 combat pilot.  He graciously stood by and helped shine a spotlight on Sandy.  Her humor and resilience were remarkable.

Leuders, Texas: WASP Mary Vandeventer standing in front of the home 

where she was born, and eventually moved back to.  

Waco, Texas: Baylor Studio with WASP Mary Helen Foster Crane 

and WASP Deanie Parrish. Mary Helen and her husband drove from Northport, Alabama for this interview.  So grateful for her commitment to our project.

Rio Hondo, Texas: WASP Millie Christiansen

and tiny companion.

West Texas: WASP Instructor Tom Moore and his wife.  During WWII, Tom instructed at Avenger Field, and his trainees still remember him.  He was tough but fair. 

El Paso, Texas: WASP Lois Hailey. Lois played banjo during training and became a very successful high school band director post WASP.

Amarillo, Texas: KACV TV:   WASP Deanie Parrish and WASP Florene Watson.

 This interview lasted well past dinner time.  The studio crew handed Florine the keys and asked her to lock up when we were finished.

Waco, Texas: WASP Grace Jones and her nephew John Rosanky 

in the Wings office on South Ninth Street. They came in from Salado, just south of Waco.  John offered to drive, but Grace insisted on driving  FAST.  She nearly got a ticket, but talked the nice policman into giving her ‘just a warning.’

Weatherford, Texas: WASP Jo Wheelis: a pilot, a champion golfer,

 tennis pro and horse trainer.  

Tulsa, Oklahoma: WASP Mary Jones Wilkinson and WASP Deanie Parrish in Mary’s Airplane Hanger Office

Tulsa, Oklahoma: WASP Grace Fender and WASP Deanie Parrish I’ll never forget, 

Grace , standing by her front picture window and waving as we pulled in. 

Sandsprings, Oklahoma: 

WASP Mary Helen Burke, WASP Deanie Parrish. 

Mary Helen’s beautiful needlework

Tulsa, Oklahoma: WASP Betty Smith and proud husband, Van 

Remarkable WASP from class 43-W-2, later stationed at Love Field as part of the Ferry Command.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: WASP Betty Riddle and her beautiful artwork.

Waco, Texas:  A year later, Sister Teresa (WASP Anita Paul) rode 23 hours on a bus to return to Texas.  She told her Superior she needed to come back ‘to help edit!’  So glad she did.

Baylor’s Robinson Tower, Wings Across America’s 7th floor edit suite:

showing Sister Teresa her video. 

Cave Creek, Arizona: WASP Betty Tackaberry Blake, Nancy Parrish. Betty was an eye witness to the attack on Pearl Harbour and had to leave the islands where she worked as a pilot.  She later became a member of the first class of WASP.

Sun City West, Arizona: WASP Dori Martin, WASP Deanie Parrish.  Dori was a former model and student at the Actor’s Studio but wanted to ‘do something’ to help when the US entered the war.  She sure did!

Tucson, Arizona: 

WASP Alberta Kinney, WASP Deanie Parrish

Chandler, Arizona: WASP Lee Doerr, Nancy Parrish. 

Marriott Courtyard Conference Room

Phoenix, Arizona: 

WASP Janet Downer, WASP Deanie Parrish

One of Janet’s beautiful watercolors.

Apache Junction, Arizona: WASP Evelyn Jackson 

and WASP Deanie Parrish. City Hall Conference Room.  Evelyn was one of several ‘cowgirls’ who became WASP.   

Mesa, Arizona: 

WASP Frankie Park, WASP Deanie Parrish

WASP Betty Jo Reed’s interview in the 

Champlin Fighter Museum conference room

WASP Betty Jo Reed in front of the Champlin Fighter Museum.  Great place to interview a WASP!

Salome, Arizona:  WASP Carol Selfridge, WASP Deanie Parrish. Carol was one of the few WASP who were married and had children during her service.  

Her granddaughter also served as an Air Force Pilot.

Casa Grande, Arizona:   WASP Geri Nyman and her beautiful loom.  Geri is from class 43-1, the first class of WASP, affectioinaly known as ‘the Guinea Pigs!”  She later created beautiful, award winning pine needle baskets.

Green Valley, Arizona: 

WASP Dawn Seymour, WASP Deanie Parrish

Nancy and Dawn in the front yard.

Tucson, Arizona: 

WASP Sylvia Clayton, WASP Deanie Parrish

Phoenix Arizona:

 WASP Margaret Tamplin, WASP Deanie Parrish

Sedona, Arizona: WASP Nell Bright

Showing computer savy Nell our website.

Sedona, Arizona: WASP Beverly Wilkinson on her back deck,

 overlooking the red rocks of Arizona.

Mary Ester, Florida: 

WASP Mary Jo Tilton, WASP Deanie Parrish

Sun City, Arizona: 

WASP Betty Jo ‘BJ’ Brown, WASP Deanie Parrish

Melbourne, Florida: 

WASP Mary Ann Gordon, WASP Deanie Parrish

 Mary Ann and husband, General Lawrence Gordon USAF

Palm Coast, Florida: 

WASP Penny Halberg, WASP Deanie Parrish

Rivera Beach, Florida: 

WASP Bee Haydu, Joe Haydu

Jacksonville, Florida: 

WASP Doris Hamaker, WASP Deanie Parrish

Doris’s quilt made in honor of her husband’s service in the Navy

Miami, Florida:   WASP Fran Sargeant

Palm Coast, Florida: 

WASP Mary Hearn, WASP Deanie Parrish

Pompano Beach, Florida: 

WASP Shirley Kruse, WASP Deanie Parrish

Cocoa Beach, Florida: 

WASP Carolyn Miller, WASP Deanie Parrish

Carolyn with her champion yorkies.

Jensen Beach, Florida: 

WASP Marianne Nutt, Nancy Parrish

Sun City, Arizona: WASP Betty Jo ‘B.J.’ Brown with WASP Deanie Parrish

20 foot flagpole with American Flag flying.

Vero Beach, Florida: 

WASP Joan Lemley, Nancy Parrish

Vero Beach,:  Joan’s favorite restaurant.

Pompano Beach, Florida: WASP FLorine Maloney and husband Mac, USMC Ret.

with their beautiful boat in the background.

Pointe Vedra, Florida: 

WASP Janet Simpson, WASP Deanie Parrish

 Janet loved the Afghan!

Jensen Beach, Florida: WASP Jackie Carmine and WASP Deanie Parrish

Jackie’s beautiful view from her balcony.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida: WASP Deanie Parrish and WASP Mary Burchard, 

US Flag flying.

Homestead, Florida: WASP Ruth Fleisher and puppy with Nancy and WASP Deanie Parrish. Ruth’s beautiful back yard is a grove of avocados and fruit trees.

Pompano Beach, Florida:  WASP Tex Meachem modeling her official ‘red hat’  

as a new member of the “Red Hat Society.”

Niece Nora and WASP Kaddy Landry Steele. This was the one Florida interview we were unable to do. Kaddy wasn’t up to it when we arrived, so we left her a stuffed flying bear and promised to return on our next trip. Sadly, Kaddy passed away about a week after this photo was taken. I’m including it because she wanted to be part of our Wings Across America Archive. Now, she is.

Coahoma, Mississippi: WASP Betty Fernandes with one of her dogs.

One of Betty’s beautiful watercolors.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi: 

WASP Edna ‘Kitty’ Bishop, WASP Deanie Parrish

Memphis, Tennessee: WASP Lillian Goodman, Nancy and WASP Deanie Parrish.  

Did the interview in the den display room: her husband was a pharmacist and  collector.

Somewhere on the road on an Air Force Base.  Car is packed and ready to move on. 

Colorado Springs, Colorado: 

WASP Millie Young, WASP Deanie Parrish

Golden, Colorado:  WASP Rosina ‘Rosie’ Todd’s beautiful mountain top view

with  WASP Deanie Parrish

Aspen, Colorado: WASP Ruth Humphries Brown, 

WASP Deanie and Nancy Parrish

Aspen, Colorado: 

WASP Betty Pfister, WASP Deanie Parrish

Grand Junction, Colorado: 

WASP Annabelle Moss, Nancy Parrish

Annabell’s painting and quilting work.  Just a few samples.  

Ann Arbor, Michigan:   WASP Marie Clark, WASP Deanie Parrish

Marie and husband John Clark, former WWII B-26 pilot and engineer. 

Grand Rapids, Wisconsin: WASP Deanie Parrish and WASP Jane Doyle.  Baymates in training.

Kalamazoo, Michigan: WASP Suzanne Parish, WASP Deanie Parrish, 

Nancy Parrish in Suzanne’s office at the Air Zoo

Air Zoo Hangar: Sue’s Pink P-40—flown many hours 

at many airshows across the country.  

Germantown, Wisconsin: 

WASP Jeanette Kapus, WASP Deanie Parrish

Jeanette’s machine to help her read, despite her macular degeneration.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: 

WASP Anne Noggle, WASP Deanie Parrish

Anne with her precious furry family.

Albuquerque, New Mexico:  WASP Mildred ‘Rexy’ Rexroat, WASP Deanie Parrish

Rexy was a proud Lakota, the only Native American WASP.

Eureka, Kansas: WASP Roby Anderson at her beefalo “Dead End Ranch’ 

with WASP Deanie and Nancy Parrish

The hay barn and the buffalo and cross bred beefalo babies.

Moberly Missouri:  WASP Rose Penny Ross and son

Fairbault, Minnesota: WASP Betty Strohfus and WASP Deanie Parrish

Memphis, Tennessee: 

WASP Frankie Yearwood, WASP Deanie and Nancy Parrish

Union City, Tennessee:

 WASP Doris Tanner and classmate WASP Deanie Parrish

Shreeveport, Louisana: WASP Annelle Bulecheck, Nancy and WASP Deanie Parrish

Annelle’s latest trophy read: Sexiest golfer over 50!

Shreveport, Louisana: 

Charlyne Creger, Nancy and WASP Deanie Parrish

Waco, Texas: Office on 4th street. Charlyne wanted to visit to ‘see’ what we were up to.  Charlyne = Joy, always.

Idyllwild, California: WASP and talented artist, Dot Lewis  

No interview, but we cherished the memories of our visit. 

Tucson, Arizona: WASP Catherine Murphy at the WASP Convention. From the very beginning, Catherine quietly helped Wings Across America. Because of her, we were able to contact every WASP. Although we were never able to interview Catherine, her support of our work never wavered. Years later, she surprised us by remembering Wings Across America in her will. This is my heartfelt thank you to a generous, kind and soft-spoken WASP who believed in our mission.

Waco, Texas, the Wings Across America Office on 4th St.  WASP Betty Turner and WASP Jean McCreery came from Ohio for their interviews. They brought us a Fifi banner.