On Sat, 01 Jan 2005 15:04:19 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

... like many of her
fellow aviatrix' of the time, her bravado exceeded here piloting
skills.

I'd nominate Jean Batten of NZ for top honors in courage,
skill, and luck:

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/jean_batten_bio.html

She wasn't all there psychologically, but neither am I. ;o)

... their successes captured the world's attention and undeniably
demonstrated female equality with men at a time when it was needed to
publicly advance that movement.

It was also a way to earn a living. There's good money in
show business.

Marty