In celebration of Women’s History Month 2022, Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack was pleased to announce the third display in the “Historical Profiles” series.  The profile features pilot and community activist Gale Brownlee.

“Gale Brownlee was a woman of indomitable spirit who fearlessly pursued her goals,” stated County Clerk Nina Postupack.  “She was a leader in our community and her dedication and drive helped her to achieve any goal she set for herself.  We are so pleased to showcase her many contributions in this Historical Profile.”

While a single panel can only give a brief look at this extraordinary woman, this online exhibit features and expands on every item in that panel’s profile.  We hope you enjoy this fascinating tour through the life of Ulster County’s own Dauntless Aviatrix, Gale Brownlee.

The full-size 36-inch wide by 96-inch high panel was on display in the lobby of the Ulster County Office Building in March 2022.  It will travel to other sites around the county, including it's first stop at the Woodstock Historical Society.  

Gale (Feeley) Brownlee was born and raised in Woodstock, New York, the granddaughter of renowned Woodstock physician Dr. Mortimer B. Downer.  After she graduated from Kingston High School in 1944, she moved to New York City in pursuit of a career. 

Reference:

• E-Yearbook.com. Gale Feeley Senior Portrait. Kingston High School - Maroon Yearbook (Kingston, NY), Class of 1944, Pg. 31, http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybb?school=82189&year=1944.

Gale enjoyed working at several up-scale social clubs before joining the U.S.O. as an entertainer, becoming a runway and television model, then working as a design assistant, and eventually creating her own fashion label. 

Click for Transcription of Photo Caption

Reference:

• “At Home Among Paintings.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 6 Apr. 1957, p. 3, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.  

Excerpt from the book:

“In 1959, the year of the celebration of the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River, Miss Gale Brownlee, sister of a Kingston doctor, and a fashion model turned aviator, was asked to act the role of a witch on board a small road-travelling and amusing version of Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon.  Instead, she designed a fetching blue naval officer’s uniform for herself and under the name of Miss Henry Hudson, boldly captained the little ship, once she had persuaded the Ulster County motor vehicle bureau to grant a license for such a strange vehicle to roll on the public highways.  Under so novel if unexpectedly attractive a captain, she helped arouse much interest in the historical Celebration by her charming and whimsical impersonation.”

Photo Caption:

Left to right: Gale Brownlee, Assemblyman Ken Wilson, Joseph Fitzsimmon, John Pike, and Alf Evers aboard the Half Moon

Reference:

• Evers, Alf. “Early Kingston Housewives and a Fashion Model Turned Aviator Serve the City Well.” Kingston: City on the Hudson, Overlook Press, Woodstock, NY, 2005, pp. 414–415.

The replica Half Moon traveled south from Kingston to cities on both sides of the Hudson River as part of the festivities commemorating the 350th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage on the river that now bears his name.  It made its way around New York State and eventually came back to Woodstock, where it was the main attraction at the 1959 Woodstock Library Fair.

Click for Transcription of Articles

References:

• “Half Moon Replica to Anchor At the Library Fair Grounds.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 23 July 1959, p. 24, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• “Half Moon Replica Welcomed in City.” Poughkeepsie Journal (Formerly Poughkeepsie New Yorker), 22 May 1959, p. 17, Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.    
• “Photograph of Gale Brownlee and Supervisor Elting Burger.” Poughkeepsie Journal (Formerly Poughkeepsie New Yorker), 23 May 1959, p. 1, Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.

While working in New York, Gale learned about promoting entertainment and often played the role of promotor for local theatre productions.

Click for Transcription of Articles

References:

• “Foundation Play To Open Tonight.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 11 Sept. 1959, p. 7, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• “Poster Auction Earns $200 for Foundation Fund.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 16 Sept. 1959, p. 21, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.

Upon returning to Woodstock, Gale’s first ride in a single engine plane changed her life dramatically.  She fell in love with flying and soon became the first women to obtain a private pilot’s license at the Kingston-Ulster Airport.  Working as a charter pilot and flight instructor, Gale was invited to join the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, of which Amelia Earhart was the first president.   The Ninety-Nines began in 1929 and are still a thriving organization today.  Their mission is to promote advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and sharing their passion for flight.

Shortly before becoming a member, Gale reached out to other female pilots through Ninety-Nine News, their monthly news magazine.  She was gathering information on WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) in World War II.    This U.S. Army Air Forces program tasked some 1,100 civilian women with noncombat military flight duties. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft.

Click for Transcription of Articles

References:

• “Gale Brownlee First Woman Accredited as Private Pilot.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 8 Mar. 1964, p. 9, Newspapers.com. Accessed 7 Feb. 2022.
• McCollum, Charlotte M. “Greater New York Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, Apr. 1965, p. 27.

In 1965, Gale, along with co-pilot Audrey Gordon, flew in the 15^th All Women’s International Air Race between New Jersey and Nassau, Bahamas.  The race was 1,468 miles and was commonly referred to as the “Angel Derby.” 

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References:

• “Co-Pilots in Nassau.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 4 June 1965, p. 14, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Woodstock, Glenford Women Entered in International Air Competition From New Jersey Airport to Bahamas.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 17 Apr. 1965, p. 1, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.

Gale Brownlee and fellow pilot Yvette Hortman modeled “Fashions in the Air” for designer Dru Allison.  In the fall and winter of 1965, they flew to various cities around the country for fashion shows depicting a modern, comfortable style for women pilots (both airplane and automobile).

Click for Transcription of Articles

References:

• “Fashions Take to the Air.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 28 Sept. 1965, p. 10, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• McCollum, Charlotte M. “Greater New York Chapter.” Ninety-Nines News, Nov.-Dec. 1965, pp. 60-61.

The first stop on the tour was Akron, Ohio, where Gale and Yvette were greeted with great enthusiasm.  O’Neil’s store held shows at two of their locations, both with guest commentator Ken Williams, fashion columnist and publicist from New York City.

Click for Transcription of Article & Advertisement

References:

• O'Neil's. “Presenting an Exciting Showing of ‘Fashions in the Air.’” Akron Beacon Journal, 29 Sept. 1965, p. 11, Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.
• Ruggles, Leslie. “Models ‘At Home’ In Travel Clothes.” Akron Beacon Journal, 29 Sept. 1965, p. 10, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.

In the spring of 1966, Gale was interviewed by the Daily Freeman regarding a potential UFO sighting.  On the evening of April 23^rd, law enforcement was inundated with calls and reports about a bright, flare-like object burning through the sky.  Gale, who was in flight near the Tappen Zee Bridge at the time, saw the object and stated, “It was high above us and it appeared as a bright green and yellow flare, traveling in a north northwest direction.  A green and yellow flame appeared to be shooting from the UFO and it was traveling at a high speed, like a satellite.”

Astronomers at the Dominion Observatory in Quebec, part of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, also viewed the object.  Member A.A. Griffin determined it to be “of asteroidal origin” in his report to the society’s journal.  Griffin’s report stated “a bright meteor appeared over the north-eastern United States and travelled northward to the St. Lawrence River.  As this took place in the early evening, and as it had a flat trajectory, long duration, and spectacular bursts as it entered the atmosphere, it was a memorable and well publicized event.”

The sighting was seen by so many people across the northeastern U.S. that it was featured in Life Magazine (May 1966) and Sky and Telescope magazine (June 1966).  A photograph shared in Griffin’s report shows the brilliant burst of light in Springfield, Massachusetts through the use of motion picture film.

Click for Transcription of Article

Reference:

• Clark, Walter S. “See UFO’s In Area Last Night.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 23 Apr. 1966, pp. 1&6, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• Griffin, A. A. “The Fireball of April 25, 1966. II, Photographic Observations and Orbit Determination.” Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, vol. 62, Apr. 1968, pp. 55–61.

As many friends and family can attest to, Gale had countless amazing stories of her adventures.  Daily Freeman reporter Walter S. Clark, Jr. interviewed Gale in July 1967 and wrote this wonderful half page article highlighting some of her more “Thrilling Flight Experiences.”  The article recounts an evening trip from northwestern Pennsylvania to Kingston when almost the entire eastern seaboard had a blackout mid-flight.  Radio communications were spotty, and Gale couldn’t reach the Kingston Airport.  Through radio conversation with the FAA Flight Watch and the Poughkeepsie Airport, the runway in Kingston was able to be lined with flares and strategically placed vehicles so that pilots could safely land.

The article goes on to cite some of the many search and rescue operations that Gale participated in as part of the Civil Air Patrol.  The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force where citizen volunteers carry out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide.  As a CAP volunteer, Gale helped locate forest fires, search for downed aircraft, and provide relief for victims of natural disasters.  In the summer of 1972, Gale received a call from a local radio station in need of a pilot to deliver supplies to flood victims in Elmira.  She and two other pilots flew out of the Kingston Airport with loads full of baby food, diapers, medicine, medical supplies, flashlights, etc.  Their flights encouraged other pilots to make supply deliveries to those affected by the flooding throughout the northeast.

Reference:

• Clark, Walter S. “Former Model Pursues Flying Career Tells Thrilling Flight Experiences.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 19 July 1967, p. 20, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• Felsen, Gertrude. “Hudson Valley Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, Aug.-Sept. 1972, p. 45.
• Felsen, Gertrude. “Hudson Valley Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, July 1972, p. 26.

In 1968, the inaugural scholarship from the Doris Mullen Whirly-Girl Award was presented to Gale at the annual Helicopter Association of America convention in Las Vegas.  The scholarship, which is still awarded today, aims to help women advance their flying careers through education. 

The Whirly-Girls were founded on April 28, 1955, in hopes of developing an organization where female pilots could share information and camaraderie regardless of country, race, religion or politics.  Today, there are more than 1,900 registered members representing 45 countries, two territories, one Crown Dependency, and one Special Administrative Region and we are still growing. The Whirly-Girls International is an official affiliate member of the Helicopter Association International.

Click for Transcription of Articles

References:

• “1^st Annual Doris Mullen Whirly-Girl Award.” Ninety-Nines News, Feb. 1968, p. 3.
• “History - Whirly-Girls.” Whirly-Girls, 23 Apr. 2020, https://whirlygirls.org/history/.
• McHarry, Charles. “On the Town.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 8 Jan. 1968, p. 51, Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.

In the image above, Gale prepares for a flight with reporter Walter S. Clark, Jr.  She was a popular flight instructor with students including local attorneys, doctors, and businessmen/women.  In early 1968, she piloted a charter from Albany to Kingston with prominent passenger Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who complimented her “fine and proficient” flying.

Click for Transcription of Articles

Reference:

• Clark, Walter S. “Mapping Flight.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 19 July 1967, p. 20, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• Tretick, Stanley. “Robert F. Kennedy, May 21, 1963.” Wikimedia Commons, 16 May 2019, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_F._Kennedy_Look_Magazine_1963.jpg. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.

In 1968, Gale began the process of starting a new chapter of the 99s in the Hudson Valley, of which she served at the first Chapter Chairman.  The chapter’s first submission to the Ninety-Nine News magazine was in the February 1969 edition where Chapter Reporter, Doris Fitzgerald, talked about the first meeting, held December 7, 1968, that included guest speaker Cole Palen, who owned the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and presented a program with slides on antique aircraft.  She also discussed plans for the upcoming year, visits to other area chapters, new potential members and Gale’s recent trip to Florida where she was able to get several hours of flight time in a Bell helicopter.

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is an international organization of licensed women pilots from 44 countries, with thousands of members throughout the world.  “Today Ninety-Nines are professional pilots for airlines, industry and government; we are pilots who teach and pilots who fly for pleasure; we are pilots who are technicians and mechanics. But first and foremost, we are women who love to fly!”

References:

• “100 Women Pilots Expected to Converge At Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome For Show.” Poughkeepsie Journal (Formerly Poughkeepsie New Yorker), 7 June 1969, p. 3, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.
• “Photograph of Hudson Valley Chapter of 99’s Headquarters.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 19 Aug. 1976, p. 10, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Rhinebeck Meeting Saturday of the 99’s.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 16 Oct. 1969, p. 19, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Valley 99’s Hear John Pike.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 7 May 1969, p. 21, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Valley Chapter Of 99’s Inc. To Host Meeting.” Poughkeepsie Journal (Formerly Poughkeepsie New Yorker), 16 Oct. 1969, p. 15, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.
• “Who We Are - About the Organization.” The Ninety-Nines, Inc., https://www.ninety-nines.org/who-we-are.htm.
• “Women Pilots To Land At County Airport Saturday.” Poughkeepsie Journal (Formerly Poughkeepsie New Yorker, 4 Oct. 1968, p.17, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.
• Fitzgerald, Doris. “Hudson Valley Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, Feb. 1969, pp. 12–13.
• Hollander, Lu, et al. "The Ninety-Nines: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow." Turner Pub. Co., 1996.

In the summer of 1970, Gale began a fundraising campaign for a new heliport to be built at Benedictine Hospital.  She was able to procure thousands of dollars as well as donations of material, manpower and equipment from various Ulster County businesses and residents.  The helipad was completed in the spring of 1971 and named for Gale’s grandfather, Dr. Mortimer S. Downer, a Woodstock physician and member of the board at Benedictine Hospital as well as a lecturer at their nursing school. 

References:

• “$2,000 Raised For Helipad At Benedictine.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 10 Aug. 1970, p. 10, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• “Donate to Heliport.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 24 Aug. 1970, p. 17, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Fund Raising Project Slated for Benedictine Heliport.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 15 July 1970, p. 24, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 10 Feb. 2022.
• “Hospital Heliport Rites Saturday.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 13 May 1971, p. 20, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Inspect Heliport Site.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 25 Feb. 1971, p. 2, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• “Opening of Benedictine Heliport Boon to Valley Medical Progress.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 17 May 1971, p. 1, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Start Construction of Helipad.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 15 Oct. 1970, p. 16, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Turk the Heliport Chairman.”  Kingston Daily Freeman, 25 Mar. 1971, p. 20, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.

Gale became a patron for the causes she held most dear.  With the assistance of Sister Mary Charles, administrator at Benedictine Hospital, Gale helped to bring the first Hospice program to Kingston after speaking with a cancer patient on a chartered flight.  Then in 1972 when she learned of the potential building of a power plant on the Hudson River near Kingston, she became one of its biggest opponents.  Gale wrote to fellow pilots for support, took aerial photographs of the potential impact, and educated others on the aeronautical hazards of having smokestacks so near an airport. 

References:

• Powers, Jon. “Aviatrix to Address Environmental Task Force.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 20 Nov. 1972, p. 3, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• Geertsema, Tobie. “Woodstock Board…’Stacked’ Topic.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 20 Sept. 1972, p. 1, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• Powers, Jon. “Towering Smokestacks…’War Declared’ on C-H.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 30 Nov. 1972, p. 1, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• Powers, Jon. “Ulster Board May Allow C-H Stacks.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 17 Dec. 1972, p. 1, Newspapers.com.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.

Gale used her passion for flying to photograph the devasting effects a power plant can have on the environment and spoke before town and county planning boards, the Ulster County Legislature, and the New York State Environmental Task Force, advocating for environmental protection and conservation.  She also spoke to many community groups such as the Kiwanis Clubs, Lions Clubs, women’s groups, political clubs and more.

In addition to the environmental impact of a power plant on the Hudson River and surrounding land, the proposed smokestacks at the plant posed a significant danger to pilots flying into and out of the Kingston Airport.  At a meeting of the Ulster County Legislature, Gale gave a presentation and “warned that the Federal Aviation Agency [FAA] has ruled that the proposed stacks, which would rise to a height about twice that of the [Kingston-Rhinecliff] bridge at 600 feet, would pose a hazard to aviation.  This in turn, could lead to the closing of Kingston Airport.”

Gale also reached out to fellow 99’s and urged them to write letters of support.  In the August 1972 news magazine, she wrote, “We all know we are losing many of our small local fields and are being increasingly restricted in the use of major ones.  We simply cannot afford to lose a single airport.”

References:

• Ulster County Legislature. Proceedings of the Ulster County Legislature, 8 Feb. 1973, p. 49.  Ulster County Clerk’s Archival Collection.
• “Gale Brownlee Slated to Address Legislature.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 8 Feb. 1973, p. 17, Newspapers.com. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.
• “Ulster County Planning Board Hears Power Plan Opposition.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 7 Mar. 1974, p. 4, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Brickyard Association Opposes Power Plant.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 22 Feb. 1973, p.28, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• “Speaker for Ladies Guild.” Kingston Daily Freeman, 12 Feb. 1973, p. 4, Newspapers.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.
• Felsen, Gertrude. “Hudson Valley Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, Aug.-Sept. 1972, p. 44.
• Tisdale, Jana. “Hudson Valley Chapter.” Ninety-Nine News, June 1973, p. 24.

To enhance her income, Gale also turned to real estate and became an associate broker. She was very successful, “unfailingly honest and won many of the company’s highest awards.”  She advertised in many prominent publications, including the New York Times & New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, and The Advocate - the oldest continuing LGBT publication in the United States.  She knew her market and who she wanted to attract to her hometown.

Gale was often interviewed for her experience in and perspective on the real estate market, as well as local happenings and news around Woodstock.  Her expertise was noted in such newspapers as the New York Times and Baltimore Sun, among many others.

References:

• “Obituary: Gale Brownlee.” Hudson Valley One, 3 Nov. 2012.
• “Photograph of Gale Brownlee Receiving Real Estate Award.” Ulster County Clerk’s Archives, Daily Freeman Collection, 27 Apr. 1986.
• Hall, Trish. “For Sales of Second Homes, No Vacation.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Nov. 1998, https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/01/realestate/for-sales-of-second-homes-no-vacation.html?smid=url-share.
• New York Times Magazine, July 1991, Cover, nytimes.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2022.
• New York, 24 Mar. 1986, Cover, books.google.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2022.
• New York, 24 Mar. 1986, Cover, books.google.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2022.
• The Advocate, 12 Oct. 1999, Cover, books.google.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2022.
• The Advocate, 22 June 1999, Cover, books.google.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2022.

Gale Brownlee had a passion for flying that spanned her entire adult life.  In addition to being a member of the 99’s and the Whirly-Girls, she also joined several local flying clubs in Ulster and Dutchess counties.  In a Kingston Daily Freeman article, she reflected on the “fun flying” she had done, siting her participation in the Angel Derby as one of the best.  She and co-pilot Audrey Gordon flew through thunderstorms, avoided a black funnel cloud, made emergency pit-stops and braved the Everglades, but she recalls that it was “not as scary as we had thought.”  Another favorite story of Gale’s was her experience flying to Africa.  She served as co-pilot and ferried a plane to Nairobi, Africa.  What a lifetime of adventure!

References:

• “Photographs of Gale Brownlee.” Ulster County Clerk’s Archives, Daily Freeman Collection, 7 Apr. 1980.
• “Photograph of Gale Brownlee and Nancy Coopermoore.” Ulster County Clerk’s Archives, Daily Freeman Collection, 7 Apr. 1980.
• “Obituary: Gale Brownlee.” Kathryn's Report, 3 Nov. 2012, www.kathrynsreport.com/2012/11/obituary-gale-brownlee.html. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.

During the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration, Gale and her daughter Pixie joined the crew of the Half Moon, a replica of Henry Hudson’s ship, as special guests.  “Gale Brownlee was Miss Henry Hudson 1959, and joined us with her daughter Pixie Brown for the trip from Kingston to Catskill. …However, Ms. Brownlee isn't satisfied with merely riding along as a passenger -- she insists on earning her place as a full crew member! She's placed on the duty roster and works her way through all the requirements needed to qualify, including completing harness training and taking a shift at the whipstaff.” 

Even at the age of 83, she was willing to strap on a harness and learn the ropes so she could earn her place as a full crew member on this historic voyage. “Gale Brownlee was a dauntless, brave person with an indomitable spirit. ‘There was nobody like her’ is what is most heard.”

Images: (left) Ewout van Grondelle, Bosun and Ship Manager, with Gale; (middle) Ship’s Captain William Reynolds with Gale; and (right) Pixie Brown with her mother, Gale Brownlee.

References:

• “Obituary: Gale Brownlee.” Hudson Valley One, 3 Nov. 2012.
• 2009 River Day Voyage, New Netherland Museum, http://www.newnetherlandmuseum.org/2009riverday/2009riverhome.htm.

Gale Brownlee was a leader in Ulster County.  Her dedication and drive helped her to achieve any goal she set for herself.  She is described by her family and friends as loyal, generous, honest, and brave.  In October 2012, Gale passed away shortly before her 86^th birthday, but her spirit lives on through the many contributions she made and the lives she impacted.  It is our honor to feature Gale Brownlee, Dauntless Aviatrix, in this Historical Profile.