Ruth Walraven

Ruth Harman Walraven, Wisconsin’s pioneering pilot, began flying in early 1930. A single airplane ride during high school was all it took to hook her on aviation.  As a result, she sold her old toys, clothes, even her bicycle to purchase a membership in the glider club. They flew from Wisconsin’s Kenosha Airport.

After high school, Ruth Walraven found work which paid for flying lessons.  She earned her pilot’s license in March 1932.  Soon, Ruth graduated from an Aeronca C-3 to a more powerful Waco F.  She then mastered aerobatics and, performed at air shows throughout the state.  By 1936, Ruth Walraven a earned both commercial and flight instructor ratings.  “I wanted to teach others to fly because I loved it so much myself.”

Ruth got her chance to instruct in 1940 as a chief instructor in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) at the Kenosha Airport.  One of only 50 women instructors, she trained hundreds of Navy flight cadets during WWII.  Ruth was the only CPT woman instructors in Wisconsin. 

Ruth Harman Walraven was the first female in the state to hold the position of airport manager.  She remained at Kenosha until 1950 when she and her family moved to California.  At a time when single women were the exception in aviation, Ruth Walraven proved to be a dedicated and successful pilot.  She was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 1999.