Evelyn Waldren

Evelyn Esther Nicholas Burleson Whitmaker Waldren (June 25, 1908 – October 25, 1986) was the first woman in Nebraska to become a pilot, the first woman in North Dakota with a transport pilot's license, and one of the first women in the United States with a flight instructor's license. In 1941, she set a new speed and distance record for female pilots in light planes.

Childhood Waldren was born Evelyn Esther Nicholas in Stockham, Nebraska. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she and her younger sister, Virginia, were raised by their mother and stepfather. When she was five years old, her family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. and visiting the construction sites where he worked. She wanted to go for a plane ride, but her parents were concerned about the risks.

Flight training Despite Waldren's arguments, her mother and stepfather refused to let her fly.

On March 3, Waldren took her first flight in a surplus World War I biplane. After he recognized her picture in the newspaper, She hoped to get a transport pilot's license, but needed 200 hours of flying time to qualify. Ranchers' associations would sometimes give her free chicken dinners and free gas for her plane to thank her. With her husband, she ran a flying service out of the Jamestown Municipal Airport from 1931 to 1937, making charter trips. She also worked as an airways observer for the weather bureau and as a station agent and traffic representative for a local firm. "I used to fly barnstorming shows in North Dakota during the Depression. We used to send an advance man to a town to pick out a field and tack up some posters. Then we'd hit town on the weekend and put on a couple of shows for the folks. One of our tricks was to toss rolls of toilet paper out of the planes, so they'd unravel all the way down. Well, when we landed, we went back to pick up the paper- but we couldn't find any. You have to remember how poor everyone was. One lady in the audience picked it all up- a whole month's supply."

Albany Airport Waldren and Howard Burleson managed the Albany Municipal Airport in Oregon from 1937 to 1941. Waldren also wrote a column on aviation for the Albany Democrat-Herald, In 1939, she was appointed to the women's committee and the junior activities committee of the National Aeronautic Association's Willamette Valley chapter.

In February 1939, Waldren was appointed an air patrolman by the Albany chief of police, making her the second female air patrolman in Oregon. Her jurisdiction extended over the airport, where she had the responsibility of enforcing aviation law and responding to any emergencies. Waldren became a Civilian Aviation Authority Flight Examiner Waldren's second class included six women. Waldren was named vice governor of the chapter, which included Edith Foltz, Leah Hing, and Bessie Gale Halliday. She wanted to fly to Mexico City, where she would deliver goodwill letters from the governor of Oregon and the mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia. The plane held 80 gallons of gasoline. The couple had a son, Douglas

Community Involvement Waldren served as the public relations coordinator of the Oregon State Board of Aeronautics. She planned the Central Oregon Aviation Day held in June 1949, an educational event which provided free plane rides. Waldren arranged invitations and registration to the Salem Aviation Day held on August 28, 1949, where she demonstrated pattern flying and dead-stick landings. She also helped organize an airshow in Lebanon, Oregon, and escorted former Oregon resident Kathleen "Klondike Kate" Van Duren to the event.

Marriage to Robert Waldren Evelyn married Robert Waldren, and together, they managed the Langmack Field airport in Sweet Home, Oregon. There, Evelyn Waldren received her private examiner's rating in 1951, allowing her to give out student pilot certificates. By the time she died, Waldren had flown 23,700 hours.

Recognition In 1978, Waldren was named the National OX-5 Pioneer Aviatrix of the Year. In 1984, she was elected to the OX-5 Pioneer Hall of Fame.