Historically, March has been the month at the Museum that recognizes women's role in aviation.  This year is no exception and to highlight this event, the Southern Museum of Flight will host a special guest speaker, Thomas R. Harrington, who is Reference and Instruction Librarian at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. 

One of Tom's responsibilities is the Gallaudet University’s world renowned collection on deafness and deaf people.  He has researched the history surrounding the world's first licensed deaf pilot, Nellie Willhite, and her famous plane, " Pard".  Her plane was a long-wing Alexander Eaglerock built in 1928 and was a favorite aircraft for barnstorming popular in those days.  The Museum proudly displays Nellie's "Pard" in its Early Aviation Hanger.  The Eaglerock is one of only five (5) remaining models of this type.

This very special lecture sponsored by the Alabama Association of the Deaf will be presented simultaneously in speech and sign language.  It will be illustrated with some of the historic photos of Nellie and her plane in the Gallaudet University collection.  Don’t miss this chance to hear the fascinating story of Nellie Willhite on Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 11:00am in the Museum's Conference Center.  The lecture will last about one hour.