The Originals: The Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron of World War II

Who were The Originals?

• Experienced women pilots - the first to fly for the U.S. military
• 28 women who dared to challenge 1940s barriers of gender, politics and bureaucracy
• Farm girls, socialites, daughters of working families, college graduates; from 15 different states; married and single; three with young children
• Young women - ages 21 to 35
• Three of them died serving their country
• World War II heroines with "the Right Stuff"

Based on personal interviews with the nine who were still alive as of 2000, on papers and diaries, and on interviews and correspondence with descendants and others who knew them. This book tells the story of the WAFS, who they were, how they are different from the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), and how they ultimately became part of the WASPs. A must reference book for libraries in aviation communities, but it reads like a novel. Second Edition, Revised and Updated.

About the Author
Rickman, Sarah Byrn: - "Sarah Byrn Rickman has been researching the WASP and closely following their activities for 25 years. In that time, she has written and published seven books about these women who flew for the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II - two novels, three biographies and two histories. She has another WASP biography currently in the works and expects publication later in 2017. Sarah currently serves as an oral historian for the WASP Archives at Texas Woman's University and as editor of the official WASP newsletter. She has written numerous WASP articles published in national magazines and journals. Inspired by the WASP, she earned her Sport Pilot certification in 2011. Sarah is a former reporter/ columnist for The Detroit News and the former editor of the Centerville-Bellbrook Times (suburban Dayton, Ohio). She earned her B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in Creative Writing from Antioch University, McGregor. She now lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband, Richard, and their black Lab, Lady."