Comments???

Rant for the day:


     I received a rather disturbing email last night that I'd like to vent about. First, here's the back ground info. The Ninety-Nines is an international organization for female pilots that was created by Amelia Earhart back in the day. This organization allows female pilots to network with other pilots and even win scholarships.


     After I received my private pilot's license, I joined this organization. Shortly after, I started receiving a newsletter called the Aviatrix Aerogram by Laura Smith. I assumed this was created by a women who was a Ninety-Nine because that's the only contact with other female pilots that I have. For a year, I have received this outstanding monthly newsletters. Laura does monthly surveys on various topics and asks her subscribers to answer the questions. A few months ago the question was something along the lines of "Do you  think Civil Air Patrol is a good ole boys flying club?" This survey, and other people's answers really attack CAP for not being "chick friendly". This really upset me so I answered the survey positively. She loved my submission and published it. This month the survey was about Amelia Earhart. She personally emailed me to ask me to write a submission for it, so I did! Remember, I thought this was a Ninety-Nine's thing so I geared all of my answers to the Ninety-Nine's and how Amelia Earhart founded the organization.


I was shocked to receive this email in return from Larua Smith (I''ve underlined what I find most offensive
:
     "Hello Emily. I am happy that you are having a good experience with the Ninety-Nines. I'm sure that you know very little about the politics and some of the nasty history of the organization. I personally have had an absolutely horrendous experience with the 99s (I am no longer a member). It is a very long and involved story. At some point, do take a look at the bylaws and standing rules of the organization and ask yourself how supportive all of that "discipline" content is. Most of that content was put into place so the bullies could go after me. It didn't pass by a valid vote, but they went ahead and put it in anyway. There are some very corrupt and evil women in the organization now. They certainly do not have the sense of integrity that Amelia Earhart did. On the flip side, I know that there are still some very kind and supportive chapters and individuals in the organization. While the scholarship program has some real flaws, I do very much want to see good, hard-working women receive the financial support of the scholarships. Because of that, I do tend to be careful about my commentary about the Ninety-Nines in Aviatrix Aerogram."


#1. "I'm sure that you know very little about the politics..." Wow, that's a little insulting coming from a "professional" woman to someone she doesn't know. I know all about the organization and its great, so don't be rude.


#2. "Most of that content was put into place so the bullies could go after me." Seriously, how concerted are you to think that an INTERNATIONAL organization would make their bylaws to target you!?!? That's insane!


#3. "... corrupt and evil women in the organization now" I don't know what chapter she was involved with, but my chapter has some elderly women in it. I'm the youngest one by probably 30 years...so yes..I can see how "evil" a bunch of badass elderly pilots could be...NOT!


#4. "While the scholarship program has some real flaws..." AND THERE WE HAVE IT! You didn't win a scholarship through the Ninety-Nines so now you hate the entire organization.


#5. "I do tend to be careful about my commentary about the Ninety-Nines..." Really? Is this you being careful with your commentary?!?!


I would NEVER speak poorly of an organization to someone I knew was in that organization. I emailed her back once trying to be sympathetic to her situation but I kept re-reading the email and getting so frustrated. I then emailed her and asked her how she initially got my email in the first place....no response. She did however have the time to send me another email regarding a biography or something.


Can you say crazy?