Alverna Bennett

Alverna Babbs Williams (née Bennett, – ) was the first American pilot with disabilities to earn a pilot's license. Alverna had both her legs amputated above the knee after surviving a car crash when she was thirteen months old.

In October 1936, Bennett married Louis “Speedy” Babbs, who owned a motordrome and raced motorcycles. Bennett and Babbs honeymooned in Honolulu. Alverna Babbs made her first solo flight on October 30, 1944. In 1946, she earned her pilot's license.

In 1973, Alverna joined the Ninety-Nines. She attended Mountain View Junior College in the fall of 1975 for an instrument ground course. In 1977, Alverna participated as a solo pilot in the 30th Anniversary Powder Puff Derby Commemorative Flight from California to Florida that was being held on July 2 - July 5. However, due to a fuel leak, Alverna had to complete the flight with the help of Suzanne Parish. In addition of the Ninety-Nines, Alverna was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Ercoupe Owners Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and Silver Wings.

Awards and honors In 1977, Alverna was honored by The Wheelchair Association. She was also named “Lady Ercouper of the Year.” The city of Grand Prairie, where she lived, officially declared November 7 to be “Alverna Williams Day.” Texas Representative Dale Milford had an honorarium read into the Congressional Record for “A Remarkable Woman—Alverna Williams ” on December 15, 1977.

Death and legacy Alverna died on March 7, 2007.