Pancho Barnes, who grew up in Pasadena, became an early aviator, but is somewhat forgotten now days. East Los Angeles-Montebello Business and Professional Women will present a program on Barnes on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at MERCI Board Room, 525 N. Chandler Avenue, Monterey Park (Networking starts at 4:30 p.m. with dinner to be served before 5:00 p.m. Price of the dinner will be in the $10-$15 range). The program and dinner are open to all interested people, but reservations are required so there will be enough food. Call or E-mail Linda Wilson (626) 307-5650 or lindalwilson@juno.com to make a reservation or for questions.

Pancho Barnes was born Frances Leontine Lowe on July 22, 1901 in Pasadena. She grew up in a mansion in San Marino. Her grandfather took her to an air show when she was young and from there grew her love of flying. In 1919 she married the Reverend C. Rankin Barnes of South Pasadena. Later when she inherited some money and learned to fly, she would buzz dive the church where he preached on Sunday. In 1930 she broke Amelia Earhart’s air speed record. She went on to do aerial stunts in Hollywood including in Howard Hughes’ movie “Hell’s Angels.” In later years she bought land near what later became Edward’s Air Force Base for her Happy Bottom Riding Club. She became friends with Chuck Yeager and other test pilots. She would sue the government because the base commanders put her ranch off limits for being a house of ill repute which it wasn’t. This program will fill in more details about the amazing and adventurous life of Pancho Barnes.