Mary Anita "Neta" Snook Southern (1896 –1991) - pioneer American aviator

Mary Anita Snook (known as "Neta")  was born on 14th February 1896 in Mount Carroll, Illinois, USA.  She became interested in machinery at an early age, spurred by a fascination with her father's cars. At the age of four, she would sit on her father's lap and help him steer his Stanley Steamer on the hills of their Illinois town. As she grew older, he taught her the inner workings of cars. Anita  attended the Frances Shimer School, which later became Shimer College, graduating in 1912.

When the family moved to Ames, Iowa, in 1915, Snook attended Iowa State College (now Iowa State University), taking courses in mechanical drawing, engines and farm machinery repair. She became fascinated with literature related to aviation and soon wanted to learn to fly.

During her second year at college, Anita applied to the Atlantic Coast Aeronautical Station and the Curtiss-Wright Aviation School in Newport News, Virginia but was denied admittance, as no women were allowed.

The following year, an advertisement for the Davenport Flying School in Iowa brought her back home, where she became one of the first female student pilots.

After a major crash in which the school's President was killed, the school closed and "Curly," as Anita had been dubbed by fellow students, began searching for another flight training school. 

In 1917, Anita eventually gained entry into the Curtiss-Wright Aviation School and put in many hours in the air until civilian flights in the United States were banned for the duration of The First World War. In 1918 Anita worked briefly for the British Air Ministry in Elmira as an expeditor putting her mechanical skills to good use, inspecting and testing aircraft parts and engines on their way to combat in Europe.

In 1918 Anita worked brieflyfor the British Air Ministry in Elmira , Chemung County, New York as an expeditor, putting her mechanical skills to good use, inspecting and testing aircraft parts and engines on their way to combat in Europe.

In 1922, at the age of 25, Anita married William Southern. She] became pregnant and gave up flying, selling her business. Not much was heard about Neta Snook Southern in the years following her retirement.

Anita died at the age of 95 on March 23, 1991, at her *adobe home, built by Neta and William in Los Gatos, California.

*An adobe house is a structure built using sun-dried bricks made from earth, water, sand, and organic materials like straw or dung. Known for thick, sculptural walls with high thermal mass, these durable, fire-resistant homes stay cool in summer and warm in winter, making them ideal for arid climates.

Sources:  Mastermind Television Programme, Wikipedia.