Jerrie Mock

Jerrie Mock, born on November 22, 1925, was a pioneering American aircraft pilot who made history as the first woman to fly solo around the globe. Her remarkable journey commenced on March 19, 1964, from Columbus, Ohio, aboard a single-engine Cessna 180, affectionately named the Spirit of Columbus and nicknamed 'Charlie'. This extraordinary flight concluded on April 17, 1964, also in Columbus, after an impressive duration of twenty-nine days, eleven hours, and fifty-nine minutes, covering nearly twenty-two thousand eight hundred sixty miles.

Mock's adventure was not just a personal achievement but also part of a spirited competition with fellow aviator Joan Merriam Smith, who had embarked on her own journey from San Francisco, California, just two days earlier. Smith's flight path mirrored that of the legendary Amelia Earhart's last voyage. Ultimately, Mock triumphed, completing her circumnavigation first and solidifying her place in aviation history.

In 1970, Jerrie Mock shared the captivating story of her round-the-world flight in her book, Three-Eight Charlie. Although the original edition is now out of print, a special fiftieth-anniversary edition was later released, featuring maps, weather charts, and photographs that captured the essence of her journey. The title, Three-Eight Charlie, refers to the call sign of her trusty Cessna 180 Skywagon.

Throughout her life, Mock was not only an accomplished pilot but also a devoted mother of three. In her later years, she resided in Quincy, Florida, located northwest of the state capital, Tallahassee, where she continued to inspire others with her remarkable legacy.