Category: News || By John Barna and Jason Togyer

Relatives and civic leaders gathered Saturday afternoon at McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery to honor pioneering aviatrix Helen Richey on the 100th anniversary of her birth.

Born in the city Nov. 21, 1909, Richey was the first female commercial airline pilot and set a number of aviation records; Amelia Earhart reportedly considered Richey a superior pilot.

Daughter of Amy Winter and Joseph B. Richey, city superintendent of schools, Helen Richey earned her pilot's license at Bettis Field near Dravosburg when she was 20.

Richey became a stunt pilot, performing in "barnstorming" shows around the country before setting an endurance record for women pilots, keeping an airplane continuously aloft with mid-air fueling for eight days, five hours in 1933.

In 1935, she won the first annual National Air Race in Dayton, Ohio.

Also in 1935, she was hired by McKeesport-based Central Airlines --- a predecessor of United Airlines --- becoming both the first woman to fly U.S. air mail and the first woman to fly passengers on a scheduled route. But only nine months after beginning work, Richey was forced to resign by the all-male airline pilots union.

In 1936, teamed with Earhart, Richey placed fifth in the transcontinental Bendix Trophy Race.

After working for the U.S. Commerce Department helping place navigational beacons, Richey became one of the first women aviation instructors.

Before the U.S. entry into World War II, Richey flew transport flights for the British government, delivering planeloads of bombs from munition plants to air bases.

After the war, however, frozen out of the aviation industry --- the only business she ever loved --- by male pilots, Richey became despondent. She died, an apparent suicide, in New York City at age 37, and was buried in McKeesport.

The graveside ceremonies capped a yearlong celebration of Richey's legacy organized by McKeesport Heritage Center and chaired by Evette and DeWayne Wivagg.

Speakers at Saturday's events included Michelle Wardle, executive director of the center; Robert Messner, member of the center board of directors; and city Mayor James Brewster.

The Rev. Dr. Darrell D. Knopp, pastor of McKeesport Presbyterian Church, offered a prayer and remarks. The Richeys were members of Central Presbyterian Church on Versailles Avenue, one of several congregations that have merged to create the present-day McKeesport Presbyterian, and the Rev. Dr. E.E. Robb of Central officiated at Richey's 1947 funeral.

The McKeesport Veterans' Honor Guard provided a color guard, while the Garden Club of McKeesport provided the wreath laid at Richey's grave.

Following the ceremony, invited guests --- including members of the Richey family --- attended a luncheon in Richey's honor at McKeesport Heritage Center.

(All photos: John Barna, special to Tube City Almanac, © 2009. Please contact John before reproducing photos in any medium. Additional photos follow the jump.)

Robert Messner, board member of McKeesport Heritage Center, provides a biography of Helen Richey.

Jeanne Flaherty reads the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

McKeesport Mayor James Brewster

Sue Ann Striffler Galaski, president of Striffler Family Funeral Homes Inc. Hunter-Edmundson-Striffler, the city's oldest funeral home, handled Richey's original funeral arrangements; Striffler's donated the tent and chairs used for the Saturday ceremonies.

Bob Hauser, board member of McKeesport Heritage Center, speaks at a luncheon following the ceremonies.

Above, members of the Richey family gather for a portrait.