Celebrating The 99s 60th Anniversary in Canada

                            by Akky Mansikka

(Pictures - see below)

On October 30, 2010, The 99s from across Canada gathered at the  Brampton Airport to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Over 50 attended. Both West and East Canada Sections were represented. West Canada Section was represented by Rosella Bjornson and Mary Oswald from the Alberta Chapter. From East Canada, there were members from the Montreal chapter, The Eastern Ontario chapter, The First Canadian Chapter and Maple Leaf Chapter. Members from several chapters worked together to make the event into a very special evening. Thanks to Susanne Witshire who thought of the idea, planned the event and followed through with all the organizing. If she had not done that, it would not have taken place. Also thanks to Bev Fraser, Bonnie Calwell and Jocelyn Lecluse for helping at the door; and Linda Kiff and Deb Smith who phoned members for a little personal contact about the event.  Deb Smith also researched the time line.

The airport restaurant was converted to an elegant setting with white chair covers, white table cloths and beautiful centerpieces thanks to Asti Livingston. During the cocktail hour we were able to mingle and socialize with each other and our guests. A continual slide show, thanks to Janet Chesterfield, kept our interest.

After the delicious chicken dinner, and before the coffee and dessert, Rosella Bjornson gave an interesting talk about her career which paralleled jet carrier history in Canada. She was the first Canadian woman to fly scheduled jet aircraft and first woman to be a captain with a major airline, Canadian Airlines. Her power point presentation showed her and the different aircraft she had flown. Jacquie Perrin was Emcee and introduced all our special guests. Besides Rosella, Jacquie introduced Joyce Spring who wrote, “The Sky’s the Limit”; Ruth Parsons Moore who flew float planes in the bush and was featured in Joyce’s book; and Adele Fogle and Margo McCutcheon who were both featured in documentaries. Adele’s was about air racing and Margot, who also did a cross Atlantic air race was in a documentary about “Skywatch”, an environmental aerial surveillance program involving the 99s. Skywatch still operates today. Besides them there were other other noteworthy pilots in the room. The cake which followed had a 99s, 60th Anniversary flying theme.. thanks to Leslie Page.

A living time line was done from the newest 99 in Canada to the longest continuous member. Taking turns reading  names were Suzanne Lafontaine chair of the Montreal Chapter; Susan Begg, chair, Eastern Ontario Chapter; Akky Mansikka, chair First Canadian Chapter; and Rosella Bjornson, chair of the Alberta Chapter.  All 179 Canadian 99's names were read. The 99s who were present lined up in order when their names were called out on the living time line. The newest 99 present was Anne-Marie La Pointe of the Maple Leaf Chapter who joined in May 2010.  The longest active member present, was Felicity McKendry of the Eastern Ontario, Chapter who also did the cross Atlantic Air race with Margo and Adele. It was very interesting and sometimes surprising to see where people fit into the time line. We were all taking our pace in history....fifty women pilots spanning six decades of flying. A great evening was enjoyed by all. 

The festivities continued for those who joined the Montreal’s Chapter Hallowe'en party the following evening which happened to be Hallowe’en night. 

  (click on picture to enlarge)

Website email:  canadian99s@yahoo.ca