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First woman to fly solo around world dies

The Columbian
Published: October 2, 2014, 5:00pm

In the mid-1960s, Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock was seen at airports around the world, dressed in a blouse, skirt, high heels and pearls. But she was not on business trips or working as a flight attendant. Dubbed “the flying housewife,” Mock was a pilot on a quest to make aviation history.

On April 17, 1964, after a 23,000-mile journey that included some perilous situations, she became the first woman to fly solo around the globe.

Mock, 88, died Tuesday at her home in Quincy, Fla., of natural causes, said her sister Susan Reid.

Her historic feat came at a time when female pilots, including Mock, still had to put up with guff from male counterparts. But she ignored them.

“Nobody was going to tell me I couldn’t do it because I was a woman,” she said earlier this year.

Born Geraldine Lois Fredritz on Nov. 22, 1925, in Newark, Ohio, she took her first flight at 7.

Mock began planning her round-the-world flight in 1962. With the permission of the co-owner to make modifications to the 11-year-old Cessna, three extra fuel tanks, an autopilot system and special radios were installed.

Mock took off from Columbus on March 19, 1964, two weeks earlier than expected, heading to Bermuda.

Mock landed in Columbus to a cheering crowd in the thousands, far ahead of the competing pilot who had mechanical trouble.

She was invited to the White House, where President Lyndon Johnson congratulated her.

Her national fame was brief, however, and after going on to set several speed records, Mock eventually gave up flying because of the expense of keeping up a plane.

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