Cochran, Jacqueline, 1906?-1980

Jacqueline Cochran, cosmetics executive and world-famous aviatrix, was the product of obscure origins. Born Bessie Pittman, born 1906/1908/1910, in northwest Florida (sources differ on her birth year). The Pittmans were and impoverished family that moved from one town to another in search of work. Even as a child, Bessie possessed an unusual amount of drive and ambition. She resented the limited opportunities available to her in such an environment, especially after she was told the Pittmans were not her real parents, but had merely raised her from infancy. At an early age Bessie left home and changed her name to "Jacqueline Cochran," apparently to symbolize her break with the past. Although she renounced the Pittman name, and never publicly revealed the identity of her foster family, she remained in contact with her foster parents and later contributed to the support of their children and grandchildren.

After briefly studying to be a nurse, Cochran obtained a job in a beauty parlor in Pensacola, Florida. Over the next few years, she climbed the social ladder until, by 1932, she was working as a beautician in an exclusive store in New York City. Shortly thereafter, she began developing her own line of cosmetics. About 1935, she founded her own company, Jacqueline Cochran Incorporated. The company grew slowly but by the late 1940s, Cochran's products were being sold in department stores across the United States. She also became the American distributor for several famous French products, notably Nina Ricci perfumes.

Although her cosmetics business brought her widespread recognition, Cochran is chiefly remembered for her aeronautical activities. In 1932, while living in New York City, a friend offered her a ride in an airplane. Entranced by the flight, Cochran took flying lessons and made her first solo flight after only a few hours instruction. She later bought her own plane and flew it around the country while developing her cosmetics business.

From her earliest days as a pilot, Cochran was interested in air racing. During the 1930s, she entered as many races as she could. The first was the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, Australia. She also entered the annual National Air Races and in 1938 became the first woman to win the prestigious Bendix Trophy.

Financial support for her early racing activities was provided by several wealthy friends, the most important of whom was Floyd Odlum. Odlum was a financier who had made a fortune in the 1920s and 1930s by buying and reorganizing bankrupt companies. He had a controlling interest in, or was an executive of, innumerable companies, notably Atlas Corporation, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Convair), and General Dynamics Corporation. Plagued by arthritis during most of his adult life, he was a founder and generous patron of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation.

Floyd Odlum took an interest in Jacqueline Cochran's flying and provided financial and logistical support for her entry in the MacRobertson Air Race. With his help she began to develop a large ranch in the southern California desert near Indio. In 1936 they were married. Although in private life she was Mrs. Floyd Odlum, she continued to use her maiden professionally and was popularly known as Jacqueline Cochran for the rest of her life.

Cochran's racing activities in the 1930s brought her a wide acquaintance among the famous pilots of the day. An especially close friend was Amelia Earhart who spent several days relaxing at Cochran's ranch prior to departing on her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937. Other friends who were famous pilots included Ben Howard, Paul Mantz, Tex Rankin and Roscoe Turner. Cochran was also active in various aeronautical organizations, particularly the National Aeronautical Association (NAA), and the Ninety-Nines, a group of professional women pilots.

By 1941 Cochran was one of the most famous women pilots in the United States. As such she approached the U.S. Air Force to suggest the possibility of using women as ferry pilots in wartime. When her initial proposals were turned down she went to England (becoming in the process the only woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic in World War II) and volunteered her services to the Royal Air Force. For several months she worked for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), a branch of the Royal Air Force. Her work involved recruiting qualified women pilots in the United States and taking them to England where they joined the ATA.

In 1942, following U.S. entry into World War II, the Air Force recognized the need for additional pilots. Cochran's earlier proposals were resurrected and she was invited back to the U.S. to head a program for training women pilots. As head of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) she supervised the training of over one thousand women, many of whom performed distinguished services in flying experimental Air Force planes.

After the WASP program was eliminated in December 1944, Cochran went on a trip around the world, ostensibly as a war correspondent for Liberty magazine, and spent the rest of the war observing conditions in the Far East and Europe. Following her return to the U.S. she spent several years developing her cosmetics company, entering air races, and lobbying with the Air Force on behalf of former WASPs.

In 1948 the Air Force agreed to let WASP veterans join the Air Force Reserve. Cochran joined the Reserve where she eventually gained the rank of Colonel and remained until her retirement in 1970. Her active duty station was in the Office of Legislative Liaison. This brought her into close contact with many influential members of Congress. She was on friendly terms with many high-ranking Air Force officers and civilians, notably James Doolittle , Ira Eaker, Curtis LeMay, Carl Spaatz, Stuart Symington and Lyndon B. Johnson. Cochran was also actively involved in several civilian groups which support the work of the Air Force, particularly the Air Force Association and the Air Force Academy Foundation.

Although Air Force regulations did not permit Cochran to fly while on duty, she continued to be an active pilot in private life. Through her husband's contacts in the aerospace industry she had access to many advanced aircraft, and she continued to set flying records until the 1960s. In May 1953, while flying a Canadian jet, she became the first woman pilot to exceed the speed of sound. Her flying exploits brought her into close contact with many other professional pilots, notably Charles Yeager (the first man to exceed the speed of sound) and Frank Everest.

Cochran remained active in many private aviation groups and frequently used her influence to advance the cause of women in aviation. She was an officer in the NAA and its parent organization, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). She was on the board of directors of Northeast Airlines. In 1962 she participated in a study by the Lovelace Clinic of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the adaptability of women to space flight. She later served as a consultant to NASA on the role of women in the space program.

In addition to her aeronautical activities, Cochran was deeply involved with charitable work. She and her husband organized a private foundation, the Cochran - Odlum Foundation, through which they donated substantial sums to worthy causes. Much of her work was concerned with children. Although Cochran had no children of her own she retained vivid memories of her underprivileged childhood and this encouraged her to become involved with children's groups. She was on the board of directors of Camp Fire Girls. She also provided financial aid to several Spanish children.

Cochran was also active in Republican politics. As early as 1946 she considered running for Congress for her home district, the 29th District of California, which embraced Imperial and Riverside Counties. Her chance came in 1956 with the retirement of the incumbent Republican Congressman John Phillips. Cochran entered the Congressional race and, in the primary election, defeated a field of five male opponents to gain the Republican nomination. In the general election, however, she was defeated by the Democratic candidate Dalip S. Saund, a native of India.

Following her defeat Cochran never again ran for public office. She retained an active interest in state and national politics, however, and frequently supported Republican candidates. In 1968 she attempted to raise support for a proposed Presidential bid by General Curtis LeMay.

Cochran's interest in politics led to a close friendship with Dwight D. Eisenhower. In February 1952 she helped sponsor a massive rally on Eisenhower's behalf at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The rally was recorded and Cochran flew the film to France for a special showing at Eisenhower's headquarters. The show of support was a major factor in convincing Eisenhower to run for president in 1952.

During the 1952 campaign Cochran persuaded employees at Walt Disney Studios to produce an animated cartoon in support of Eisenhower's candidacy. She attended the Republican National Convention in Chicago in July and assisted with arrangements for Eisenhower's visit to Los Angeles in October. Eisenhower appreciated Cochran's efforts and remained a close friend for the rest of his life. He frequently vacationed at Cochran's ranch in California and wrote portions of his memoirs there after leaving office.

Despite her many activities and accomplishments, Jacqueline Cochran suffered from indifferent health during much of her life. Seldom did a year pass in which she did not enter the hospital for treatment of various ailments. In 1971 a progressive heart disease forced Cochran to retire from flying. In 1973, she and her husband sold their ranch in Southern California and lived quietly at Indio until their deaths.