EVELYN PINCKERT BRIER

As far back as Pinky can remember, she dreamed of flying. She worked at the Gas Co. after high school to earn money to rent planes and learn to fly. Pinky (then Evelyn Pinckert Kilgore) became the first woman in the US to become a licensed flight and aerobatics instructor. In the early 1940's, she purchased Tri-City Airport in San Bernardino, CA. She added land to it and turned it into a very successful business.

When the WASP (Womens Air Force Service Pilots) was formed, Pinky was invited to join. She flew many of the military planes, including B-17's.

Pinky’s husband Joe, also a pilot, was in the Army Air Corps during WWII. After acquiring the airport Joe preferred to maintain the planes while Pinky became the family pilot.

Pinky has flown many well know people, including Senators, a former head of the CIA and Earl Stanley Gardner, to mention a few. Mr. Gardner (author of Perry Mason included her in some of his books, two of which are: "The Case of the Careless Cupid" and "The Desert Is Yours".

Pinky was an excellent instructor and pilot. There were never any crashes or accidents at her airport. She enjoyed many, many happy years of flying. A plane is a natural extension of Pinky.

As long as Pinky can remember, she has enjoyed assisting women advance in the field of transportation. In 2004 the Brier Foundation was established to carry
forward that purpose. One of the Foundation's activities is offering scholarships to women who want to make air, water and other forms of transportation their career.