Help the LA99s save our Compass Rose at KSMO

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On May 30, 2019, the LA99s filed an application to designate the Compass Rose at Santa Monica Airport as a historical landmark. This is the first time a Compass Rose has been nominated as a historic landmark anywhere in the Country. Click here to access a copy of the landmark application.

The hearing will be held on September 9, 2019. For a successful result at that hearing, the LA99s need your support.

Monday September 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Hearing at City Hall: We need as many supporters to attend the Monday, September 9, 2019, hearing at Santa Monica City Hall located at 1685 Main Street, Council Chambers, Santa Monica, California and voice their support to landmark the LA99s Compass Rose at Santa Monica Airport.

Letters/Emails in Support by September 1, 2019: If you are not able to attend the hearing, no worries - you can support the nomination by writing a letter or email in support no later than September 1, 2019.

Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for helping us make history at Santa Monica Airport.

 

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Copy of a sample letter for you to use:

[date]

VIA MAIL:
Santa Monica Landmarks Commission
1685 Main Street, Room 212
Santa Monica, CA 90401

or

VIA EMAIL
Ruth Shari: ruth.shari@smgov.net
Ken Breisch: kenneth.breisch@smgov.net
Amy Green: amybeth.green@smgov.net
Roger Genser: roger.genser@smgov.net
Barry Rosenbaum: barry.rosenbaum@smgov.net
Dolores Sloan: dolores.sloan@smgov.net
Richard Brand: richard.brand@smgov.net
cc: Steve Mizokami: planning@smgov.net

Re: Support for Compass Rose at Santa Monica Airport

Dear Commissioners:

I/We support The 99s of the Los Angeles Area, Inc.’s nomination to designate the Compass Rose as a Santa Monica Landmark.

The aviation industry played a significant role in the growth and development of Santa Monica in the early 20th century. Early aviators were drawn to the Santa Monica Airport after the Douglas Aircraft Company moved to the Santa Monica Airport in 1929. Among those legendary aviators were women flyers including Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes, Bobbi Trout, Blanche Noyes and Phoebe Omlie. These brave women are some of the most underrecognized aviators in history. The Santa Monica Airport is where the first Women’s Air Derby started in 1929, an event which had an indisputable impact on the future of women in aviation.

The Compass Rose is emblematic of over 90 years of the history of women in aviation, with roots grounded in Santa Monica. The Landmark Commission’s role is to protect our cultural, social and political history and promote the use of landmarks and structures for the education and pleasure of the residents, workers and visitors of Santa Monica, in such a way as to show the full range of its heritage.

It does not get more historic or historically important than preserving where Amelia Earhart’s greatest contribution to aviation was born – the formation of the Ninety Nines International Association of Women Pilots - an organization that continues to support and encourage women pilots throughout the world 90 years following the Air Derby. The Compass Rose, the trademark logo of the Ninety-Nines, was designed by Los Angeles Chapter member Wilma Fritschey in 1939 and continues to symbolize the history and traditions of the organization today.

Since there is no other site of its kind in Santa Monica, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to save a cultural and historic Landmark identified with historic personages and embodies the use of a unique design in a unique location.

I/we are therefore honored to join the LA99s and groups and individuals who support the designation of the Compass Rose as a Santa Monica Landmark.

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