Olive Ann Beech
Olive Ann Beech | |
|---|---|
Ann Beech, signed November 8, 1945 | |
| Born | Olive Ann Mellor September 25, 1903 Waverly, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 1993 (aged 89) Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Known for | First Lady of Aviation, Co-founder of Beechcraft |
| Spouse | Walter Herschel Beech |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy (1980) National Aviation Hall of Fame (1981) |
Olive Ann Beech (September 25, 1903 – July 6, 1993) was an American aerospace businesswoman who was the co-founder, president, and chairwoman of the Beech Aircraft Corporation. She founded the company in 1932 with her husband, Walter Beech, and a team of three others. She earned more awards, honorary appointments, and special citations than any other woman in aviation history and was often referred to as the “First Lady of Aviation”.