Video published by Daniel’s Music Foundation here on YouTube (link is external)

DMF KeyNotes –  Alverna Williams Video Transcript

 

[Images are slides with written words matching the dialogue, with upbeat music playing in the background]

 

Slide 1

Daniel’s Music Foundation presents

[Image – Daniel’s Music Foundation logo, which includes an arch (half circle) made up of musical notes, with a treble clef in the middle, and three musical notes on either side]

 

Slide 2

DMF KeyNotes

[Image - DMF KeyNotes logo, which includes a gold key with a heart-shaped handle and a white music note inside the heart-shaped handle. The gold key is placed between the text ‘DMF’ and ‘KeyNotes’, and a white border surrounds the text]

 

Slide 3

A Celebration of Individuals with Disabilities

[Text on Screen]

 

Slide 4

This episode features 

[Image – Black & white sketch of woman waving from a plane surrounded by people on working on a plan]


Slide 5

Alverna Williams, born 1918-2007

[Image – Photo of Alverna Williams posing on the wing of her Ercoupe plane]


Slide 6

She was an iconic female pilot who lost her legs as a child.

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Slide 7

At thirteen months, Williams and her aunt were thrown from a car, landing in front of a streetcar. Both survived, but Williams' legs were amputated above the knee.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 8

Instead of artificial legs, she preferred using her hands to move, doing everything the other kids did—baseball, swimming, and even tap dancing with shoes on her hands.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 9

In 1936, Williams married Louis “Speedy” Babbs, who owned a motordrome, where they raced and performed aerial tricks.

[Image - Young Alverna Williams and Speedy Babbs on a bicycle together performing an aerial trick]

 

Slide 10

Speedy Babbs rebuilt an Austin car so that Williams could drive. Encouraged by their success, Williams set her sights higher - she wanted to fly.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 11

In 1944, the couple purchased a GI-80 airplane and she learned to fly using hand-operated controls. 

[Images (2) Left - Photo of Alverna Williams posing on the wing of her Ercoupe plane; Right - Photo of a General Aircraft G1-80 Skyfarer]


Slide 12

After passing all tests - physical and technical - Williams was refused a license by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), now the Federal Aviation Administration.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 13

She wrote to Roscoe Turner, famous aviator and President of the National Aviation Trades Association who advocated for her.

[Image - Photo of Colonel Roscoe Turner, posed wearing his self-designed uniform with "RT" insignia wings]


Slide 14

With her persistence and the assistance of Turner, Williams earned her pilot’s license in 1946, the first person with a disability to do so.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 15

After her first solo trip cross-country, Williams took a 30-year hiatus from flying to remarry and have children.

[Image - Photo of a General Aircraft G1-80 Skyfarer flying in the air]


Slide 16

In 1973, she returned to aviation joining the Ninety-Nines, an organization founded by Amelia Earhart that encouraged women to fly. 

[Image - Photo of Alverna Williams posing in front of her Ercoupe plane, waving and smiling]



Slide 17

Challenged by potential sponsors being put off by her disability and appearance, she persevered nonetheless and raised the money on her own to fly across the country.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 18

In 1977, at the age of 59, Williams flew solo cross-country again in the 30th Anniversary Powder Puff Derby.

[Image - Photo of Alverna Williams (left) and Marion Hart (right) below their photographs in the new General Aviation Gallery at the National Air and Space Museum]


Slide 19

She was honored by The Wheelchair Association, and her biographical and flight record was placed on file in the Aviation Hall of Fame.

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Slide 20

“I have no legs, but I do have wings.” 

[Image - Photo of Alverna Williams sitting in the cockpit of her Ercoupe]

 

Slide 21

Thank you, Alverna Williams!

[Image - Photo of Alverna Williams posing on the wing of her Ercoupe plane]

 

Slide 23

You can thank her too by sharing her incredible story today!

[Text on Screen]

 

Slide 24

Share, Follow, Like, Daniel's Music on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

[Slide includes an image of Daniel’s Music Foundation’s logo and reads:] 

Share/Follow/Like 

Instagram DMFMusic (link is external)

Facebook Daniel’s Music Foundation (link is external)

Twitter DanielsMusicFdn (link is external)


Slide 25

If you enjoyed this episode of DMF KeyNotes and want to see more, please subscribe to Daniel's Music's YouTube Channel.

[Text on Screen]


Slide 26

[A final slide includes an image of Daniel’s Music Foundation’s logo and website address: www.danielsmusic.org]


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DMF website: https://www.danielsmusic.org/


Photo Credits (in order):

  • 4th Slide - Sketch of Woman at Plane Track: Air Race Classic

  • 5th Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

  • 9th Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: The Jalopy Journal

  • 11th Slide (left) - Photo of Alverna Williams: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

  • 11th Slide (right) - Photo of a General Aircraft G1-80 Skyfarer: Wikipedia

  • 13th Slide - Photo of Roscoe Turner: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

  • 15th Slide - Photo of a a General Aircraft G1-80 Skyfarer: Alamy

  • 16th Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: The Courier

  • 18th Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

  • 20th Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

  • 21st Slide - Photo of Alverna Williams: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute

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