Edith Foltz

Edith Magalis Foltz Stearns Grissom (1902–1956) was the first female transport pilot in Oregon, the fifth female transport pilot in the United States, and the first female state governor of the National Aeronautic Association. For her work as a transport pilot in World War II, she received the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom. She had one brother, Cyrus Magalis. They had two children, one of whom died shortly after birth.

Aviation career

Training and commercial flights Foltz was upset when her husband bought a barnstorming plane: she had wanted to use the money for new furniture. The pilots set out on August 18. Foltz told reporters in Midland, Texas that she suspected her gear had been sabotaged. Foltz pointed to the damage of Claire Fahy's plane and the fire in Blanche Noyes's plane as other examples of possible sabotage, saying she suspected the husband of one of the derby entrants. She served on the board of directors and was chairman of the junior division.

Foltz designed and marketed a multipurpose flying and casual suit for women, called the Folzup. It consisted of "riding trousers with a skirt that can be opened from hem to waistline on both sides, lifted and buttoned at the shoulder to make a jumper".

Airline management and marriage to Harry Stearns By 1939, Foltz had married Harry Stearns.

Post-war career and third marriage After the war ended, Foltz became a real estate saleswoman in Portland, Oregon. She then taught instrument flying, using Link Trainer flight simulators.

Foltz and her co-pilot, Pauline Glasson, came in fifth at the Transcontinental All-Women's Air Race in 1953. In 1954, she was one of three women from Corpus Christi to enter the Powder Puff Derby. She and her co-pilot, Joy Callahan, had dropped out by the first day of the race, but continued on the route, "flying along for fun".

After a brief illness, Foltz died on June 27, 1956.