Oral history interview with Billie F. Dutcher

Collection

Identifier: SR 9127

Staff Only

Oral history interview with Billie F. Dutcher

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Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Billie F. Dutcher (later known as Billie Desjardins) was conducted by Patricia Keith on May 29, 1980, at the Troutdale Airport in Troutdale, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program.

In this interview, Dutcher discusses learning to fly at Evergreen Airfield in Vancouver, Washington, beginning in 1969. She then speaks extensively about participating with her copilot, Mary Ann Moberly, in the 1977 Powder Puff Derby, a race for women pilots that was held for the final time that year. She closes the interview by talking about other air races she participated in and about her involvement in the Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots.

Dates

Creation: 1980 May 29

Creator

Dutcher, Billie F. (Billie Frances), 1937- (Interviewee, Person)
Keith, Patricia (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Billie Frances Dutcher (nee Brogden, later Billie Desjardins) was born in Bryson City, North Carolina, in 1937, and her family moved to Kinzua, Oregon, when she was 10. In 1957, she married Dale Robert Dutcher; they later divorced. Billie Dutcher worked as a customer service manager for Western Skyways at the Troutdale Airport, and in 1970, she earned a pilot’s license at the Evergreen Airfield in Vancouver, Washington. In 1977, she participated in the final Powder Puff Derby, a race for women pilots.

Sources: Vital records on Ancestry.com; information provided by Dutcher in her interview; “They Want to Win Last Race,” by Larry Lange, The Columbian, June 20, 1977, page 25; “Air Racers Take Off,” by Suzanne Richards, Oregon Journal, July 1, 1977, page 13.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (31 min., 32 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Billie F. Dutcher, conducted by Patricia Keith on May 29, 1980. Dutcher discusses her participation in the final Powder Puff Derby, a race for women pilots, held in 1977.