Cowtown Takes Flight with Beverley Bass and Paige Stawicki Rogers
Beverley Bass was American Airlines’ first female captain, the first captain of the first all-female crew with American Airlines, and she was part of history during 9/11. Her career helped pave the way for that of her daughter, Paige Stawicki Rogers.
By Delores Kuhlwein
“I never found it necessary to be one of the guys. I always said I was a girl first….I just happened to be a girl pilot.” – Beverley Bass.
All exhibit photos provided by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Many of our readers who have shown in Fort Worth over the years have spotted the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, a beautiful, brick contemporary building on the West side of the Will Rogers Memorial Center, right next to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Those who have been fortunate enough to find the time to explore have found treasures like a permanent dinosaur exhibit, a display on the energy resources of Texas, and a substantial, moving tribute to 9/11.
One of their newest exhibits also has a connection to two of our industry’s longtime exhibitors.
“Cowtown Takes Flight” celebrates the relationship Fort Worth has had with aviation over many years, and two names spotted in the exhibit will ring bells for AQHA and APHA exhibitors: Beverley Bass and Paige Stawicki Rogers.
“Cowtown Takes Flight” celebrates the relationship Fort Worth has had with aviation over many years.
In fact, Fort Worth resident and avid TCU Frog Fan Beverley Bass is celebrated in the exhibit for her accomplishments as American Airlines’ first female captain, and later in her career with American as the first captain of the first all-female crew with American Airlines.
Her rise to fame as a household name, however, came from her experience during 9/11. On that fateful day, the plane she was flying was rerouted to Gander, Newfoundland, with 37 other planes. The tiny town opened its arms to the thousands of passengers and crew, and the incredible experience was eventually honored with the international runaway hit musical Come From Away, and in 2021, the movie Come From Away.
Times have changed since the days of the old Fort Worth/Meacham Airport.
Bass’s way of life and philosophy of “hard work and determination to open doors” have inspired women across the world, and she followed the play with her children’s book in 2019, Me and the Sky.
So it was only logical that when the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History received a grant for a huge aviation display as part of Fort Worth related industries, including Fort Worth-based American Airlines, they contacted Beverley to honor her as a subject in the display.
Paige (Stawicki) Rogers returned to her winning ways at the recent NSBA World Show with Ima Savvy Investment.
“I was very surprised they contacted me. It’s a huge honor,” Beverley confesses, a TCU graduate who arrived from Florida to attend the university in 1970 and fell in love with Fort Worth. She says she feels extremely proud because she’s such an avid TCU alumni who follows all their sports, and she’s also proud of her allegiance to American Airlines, though she has retired from the airline since – but certainly has not slowed down or stopped flying. “Even though the industry has changed immensely, my allegiance will always be to those two entities. I love being associated with Fort Worth.”
Daughter Paige (Stawicki) Rogers, who followed in her mom’s footsteps to become an American Airlines pilot is also honored in the display. Paige has just returned to the show arena with her AQHA horse, Ima Savvy Investment (and winning a Reserve and a World Championship in August) under the guidance of Simons Show Horses. She says her mom’s role in the industry influenced her path as well. “I thought all girls became pilots when I was young,” she reveals.
Paige (Stawicki) Rogers knew the moment she got her private pilot’s license that she would change her career course.
Paige herself had planned on med school, and when she was pre-med, her mom advised her to get her private pilot’s license – it was then she knew immediately. “I took the MCAT on Monday, and I took my first lesson on Tuesday, and I was totally sold when I got my license back,” she admits.
She’s extremely grateful to have her mom as a mentor, too. “I’m very proud of her career; she’s incredibly humble for everything she’s accomplished, and now that I’m in the industry, I can appreciate what she accomplished more, and I know what it takes to achieve what she has. She really paved the way for us, and I can’t thank her enough for doing that. I love her and I’m so proud of her.”
Ever humble, Beverley encourages people to attend the exhibit when they’re on the horse show grounds at Will Rogers Memorial Center, not only to see the massive feature, but to honor 9/11. “They have one of the largest, if not the largest, pieces of the World Trade Center – the museum is quite impressive.”
See the Cowtown Takes Flight photos below, provided by The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and keep scrolling for their official press release:
See the official press release below about the exhibit from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History:
Cowtown Takes Flight with New Exhibit
Explore Fort Worth’s Rich Aviation History at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Fort Worth, TX (August 8, 2023) — The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is proud to announce the opening of its latest exhibit, “Cowtown Takes Flight,” which will take visitors on an extraordinary journey through Fort Worth’s long-standing history with aviation. Opening its doors on August 19, 2023, the exhibit promises an immersive and captivating experience for visitors of all ages.
Fort Worth’s association with aviation dates back to its early days when daring pilots performed awe-inspiring aerial stunts in the city’s vast fields. Over the years, the city has evolved into a global leader in both commercial and military aircraft production, contributing significantly to the development of aviation technology worldwide.
“Cowtown Takes Flight” serves as a tribute to this remarkable heritage, shedding light on the social histories surrounding aviation’s transformation in the Fort Worth area. The exhibit aims to educate and engage visitors, revealing the human stories behind the technological advancements and the impact aviation has had on the community.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Lockheed Martin, the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, and Humanities Texas, in making the “Cowtown Takes Flight” exhibit possible. Their commitment to preserving Fort Worth’s aviation heritage and dedication to promoting science and history education has been instrumental in bringing this extraordinary journey to life for our visitors.
Mark your calendars for August 19, 2023, and join us in celebrating Fort Worth’s remarkable journey in the world of aviation at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. “Cowtown Takes Flight” is open during regular museum hours and included with museum admission and membership. For more information about “Cowtown Takes Flight” and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, please visit www.fwmuseum.org.
