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A
Proud Heritage,
An Exciting Future !
On
May 18, 1937 twenty-two women became the charter members
of the Pilot Club of Greensboro at a formal event
held in the beautiful King Cotton Hotel. The Club
accepted a gavel from Mr. Charles Ketchum, Director
of the Chamber of Commerce, that night and that same
gavel is still used to call meetings to order.
During our first decade it required only one man to
serve as President of this country – and he had
to do it over three terms before he got it right.
However, the activities of Pilot were so involved
it required eight Presidents during this period.
• A stay-at-home camp
at the YWCA was sponsored for girls who could
not afford to go out of the city. This camp continued
for years with Pilots working with YWCA personnel
planning, transporting and financing all phases
of the program.
• The Club held picnics
for the WACS stationed at the overseas replacement
depot in Greensboro, they sold war bonds, they contributed
to the War Memorial auditorium fund, they sponsored
dances for soldiers stationed in the area taking
girls to the dances in milk trucks loaned by a local
dairy, they raised money and purchased an X-ray
machine for the hospital, and they organized a new
Pilot Club in High Point.
• In the summer of
1941, Etha G. Hall, of the Pilot Club
of Greensboro was elected President of Pilot International
at our annual convention. Word was received from
the U. S. Government asking that all conventions
should be postponed and Pilot agreed to comply with
the request. Etha G. Hall served as President of
Pilot International for 5 years until another convention
could be held and a new President elected.
Through the decades our country has changed and so
has the Pilot Club of Greensboro; however, SERVICE
to our community has always been our goal and our
mission.
We started the first home bound teaching program for
the City schools, hiring and paying the first teacher.
We furnished a room at Peace Haven, a home for alcoholic
women. We have assisted the Greensboro Chapter of
the Epilepsy Association, the Alzheimer’s Association,
and many others throughout the years.
Scholarships to students have always been a priority
for the Club. It is impossible to add up just how
many students we have helped receive an education!
It was the Pilot Club of Greensboro that started Lifeline
at Moses Cone Hospital in 1983. Pilots coordinated
and helped pay for, install, and maintain over 200
units. In the 1990’s this program was turned
over to the Hospital.
“It has been a privilege to belong to Pilot.
The training and experience in leadership has been
good for me. This has given me confidence to serve
in leadership roles in my church as well as in other
organizations. Pilot opportunities for service have
been varied, worthwhile and interesting. Certainly
no where can one find more loyal friends. For all
of this I am grateful.” Sara Smith, Charter
Member at 50th anniversary celebration
A Proud Heritage – yes. And – our future
is just as exciting. Take a look at our current projects
list!
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