By Mary Creighton, Special to the Index
Zonta Club of Mineral Wells and Parker County Zonta Club are coming together to host an Amelia Earhart Legacy dinner.
The dinner and special program, featuring U.S. Army Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot Elizabeth McCormick as guest speaker, takes place Jan. 29, starting at 6 p.m., at Holiday Hills Country Club.
The program also will pay tribute to Amelia Mary Earhart, one of the first women to make a flying career possible for females.
Born July 24, 1897, Earhart was the first woman to fly over both the Atlantic and Pacific. In 1937 she was planning to circumnavigate the globe from the equator but she and her plane disappeared and her story has spawned many theories and interest in this great woman of aviation.
Before her death, President Herbert Hoover presented Earhart with the Distinguished Flying Cross – the first ever given to a woman. It was her belief that men and women were equal in “jobs requiring intelligence, coordination, speed, coolness and willpower.”
Earhart was also a member of the Zonta Club before her disappearance and throughout the years. Zonta has recognized this wonderful woman of vision with special tributes as the Mineral Wells and Parker County Zonta Clubs will be doing on Jan. 29.
Guest speaker McCormick was a recipient of a 2011 Congressional Veteran Commendation. She flew Air Assault, rappelling operations and Command-and-Control missions for military intelligence-gathering flight plans. She also flew VIPs, such as governors, congressmen and women and even the Secretary of Defense. In 1999, McCormick supported United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Republic of Kosovo as C Company rear detachment commander. She retired from the military in 2001 after a career-ending injury.
For her excellent service, McCormick was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator Badge.
Today, she is an award-winning sales consultant, teaching sales topics such as technology and social media.
McCormick believes that positive thinking and persistence, coupled with action, can break down barriers. She will share many of her personal insights with those who join Zonta for this program.
Tickets are $25 each and include a prime-rib dinner with all the trimmings. Tickets are available at the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce or from a member of the Mineral Wells Zonta Club.
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
