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Powers, Doris Hurt, 1927-2009

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: January 17, 1927 - February 9, 2009

Biographical Information

Doris Hurt Powers, known as "Dodi," started flying at the age of 14 and received her commercial and flight instructor ratings by the time she was 20 years old.

After starting college as a music major at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, she transferred to Purdue University to join the first class of the new School of Aeronautics, graduating in 1949.

While her husband was in the military during the 1950s, Powers continued to teach flying in various capacities while living a globally mobile army family life with her husband and three children. Powers was active in the Civil Air Patrol and became a major and squadron leader. She also flew airplanes and worked as both a flight instructor and a check pilot. Due to the fact that women were not allowed to teach aviation in the military, Powers remained a civilian and instead taught aircraft, engines, and navigation to off-duty soldiers. She became the president and owner of both Test and Evaluation International Services, Inc. and of Shielding Technologies, Inc. She also served as the owner and president of Test and Evaluation International, Inc.

After her husband's retirement from the army, the couple started two businesses together and Dodi started her own product research and development company called Shielding Technologies, Inc. Powers served on many boards and committees, was a fellow of the Society for Women Engineers, was recognized as a Purdue "Old Master" in 1995, received the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer award in 2006. Powers, and piloted a BT 13 airplane during a celebration by the Indiana Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in 2008. Doris Hurt Powers passed away in February of 2009.

Citation

MSA 2, Doris Hurt Powers papers, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Doris Hurt Powers papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 2
Scope and Contents The Doris Hurt Powers papers (1942 – 2008; 2 cubic feet) documents the student, aviation, and business activities of Doris Hurt Powers. Powers’ experience as a woman breaking into the male-dominated fields of engineering and aeronautics is well documented through autobiographical speeches and her memoir Nothing but Blue Skies. One strength of the collection are the speeches delivered by Powers that address the particular challenges and opportunities encountered...
Dates: 1945-2011; Other: Date acquired: 03/04/2009