I came upon the name, Hélène Dutrieu, quite by accident--she turns out to have been one of the most fascinating women, ever! Hélène Dutrieu [1877-1961] was what I would call a real hot ticket! I hope to find out more about her one day soon, but her Wikipedia entry was enough to spark a bit of illustrated poehistory!
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
Hélène Dutrieu: The Bare Facts
She conquered
balance
as a cyclist,
speed
as an auto racer,
and gravity
as an aviator.
Still, she could not
conquer prejudice.
Women of daring
and accomplishment
expected push-back.
Hélène received it
in the form of
fashion criticism.
A Paris couturier
designed her flight
suit, yet Hélène was
lambasted for what
she neglected
to wear in the air--
her corset.
Please use InLinkz to leave a link to your post. In the past, people from Australia had a problem using InLinkz (probably due to the time difference), if you have problems, please leave the link in the comments section and I will add it for you. Many thanks!
Wow, Diane - you find the most INTERESTING and inspiring folks! Thanks for keeping Hélène Dutrieu's legacy alive for us all this week. (And good grief, some things never seem to change... :0! ) Thanks for hosting, & Happy Fourth.
ReplyDeleteSerendipity! It leads to the most amazing discoveries!
DeleteI was thinking the same thing! Thanks for sharing her story and your poem, Diane - and for hosting!
DeleteThanks, Matt!
DeleteOh dear. You guessed it, Diane. No InLinkz for me. But I'm here - so if you can link me in, that would be wonderful, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere's no fabulous flying fashionistas on my blog (love what you do with your art an words - again!) - just some Aussie Bush Poetry (previously likened to Cowboy Poetry) about a fearsome critter - Hairy Huntsman Spider! https://katswhiskers.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/hairy-huntsman-spider-repost
Thanks for hosting - and linking me in, Diane.
You're all linked in, Kat!
DeleteWow -- she really was a hot ticket! How fascinating. I'm going to have to learn more about her. Thanks for bringing her to our attention, and thanks for hosting this week. Happy Fourth to you!
ReplyDeleteShe's worth investigating, I think!
DeleteI have a spider too -- a gift from Buffy! As for Helene, what a woman! I love your illustration too. :-) Thanks for hosting, Diane!
ReplyDeleteHow could I not use the photo of her and pair it with an corset ad from the same era?
DeleteOK! I'm all in to learn about this hot ticket. What a great poem of introduction. You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteIf you learn more, let us know!
DeleteHi Linda, I tried to follow your link and it didn't work. Is the URL wrong maybe?
DeleteWhat year was this, Diane? Thanks for bringing her story to us, and thanks for hosting!
ReplyDelete1910. She learned to fly and went on to break records in the year 1910!
DeleteI love this, another daring women to learn more about, and a dashing salute to her in your wonderful poem collage. Thanks for unveiling her Diane, and for hosting too! Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteIt seems she was a woman who liked a challenge!
DeleteThanks for hosting and for sharing about this wonderful woman. There are many that are being written about recently in picture books. Maybe it's time for her story, Diane! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhen my writing buddies and I were writing profiles for the "Women of" series we were amazed by the women whose achievements were ignored simply because they were born with the wrong "equipment."
DeleteI love these stories of adventurous women. We are an adventurous sex. We've traveled to every remote place on earth and made homes in the most difficult places.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And, as Ginger Rogers said, "did it backwards and in high heels."
DeleteYes! With pins digging into our scalps, corsets squeezing the breath from us and smiling. Always smiling.
DeleteNo corsette! Daring! That probably took more "guts" than flying! (no pun really intended...I couldn't think of another word once I had that one!)
ReplyDeletePuns are always welcomed here, Donna!
DeleteDiane, this is so amazing! I love learning about strong women who took a stand and allowed nothing to hold them back. I love your poehistory collage! Thanks for hosting, too!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to dig a little, but there are many female stories waiting to be unearthed!
DeleteYes, isn't it funny how often women are lambasted for the unimportant - corsets, for instance - at the expense of what counts: persistence, courage, ambition? Love the poem! Thanks for hosting today, Diane!
ReplyDeleteCorsets are a way to keep women restrained, in more ways than one. Persistence, courage, and ambition are threatening.
DeleteWhat a fascinating woman! (And how depressing how little some things have changed with the fashion criticism) I thought I knew of most of the women pilots from the early days, but somehow I missed (or forgot) about her. I look forward to learning more.
ReplyDeleteReally, how did we miss her? Such an amazingly varied life she led.
DeleteOK. How cool was she? Adding her to my "dream dinner party" list! Thanks for introducing her to us, and so loving your poem. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteI hope you speak French! But, I'll bet she spoke English, too. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at your dinner party. (Fly really is my preferred role, I'm terrible at socializing.)
DeleteThanks for hosting, Diane, and for sharing your poetic glimpse at Hélène Dutrieu-- new to me! Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Sylvia, it's a glimpse. She deserves a long look!
DeleteGo Hélène!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday, everyone!
Happy Friday of a long weekend for most Americans!
DeleteMy kind of woman! Jet
ReplyDeleteShe sure is, Janet!
DeleteIsn't it astounding what women have endured throughout the centuries? Thank you for introducing us to this incredible person! I love your "illustrated poehistory!" Thank you for hosting, & have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteAnd continue to endure... :-(
DeleteHeaven forbid one doesn't wear her corset. Really!? One would think that maybe we have evolved since then, but I'm afraid that fashion for women is still greatly criticized. I admire her courage to do what she wanted to do, despite the push back.
ReplyDeleteLet's turn that kind of criticism on its head and say, "if all you can find to criticize me on is my underwear, then my work must be AWESOME!"
DeleteWow--what a fascinating person you've introduced us to with your poehistory. And no corset? Shocking! (Maybe we have made some progress...or at least we can hope we have.)
ReplyDeleteNot much progress made when a person in a position of importance can make up a story about a woman bleeding from a face lift and use it as a criticism!
DeleteDiane, it is always a joy to come to your blog to find amazing image poems and other poetry. This entry is a historical look at a strong women in history with her own fashionista style sans a "garment", as my mom used to call what all wore during Helen's era. Poehistory rocks!
ReplyDeleteAs I find them, I'll continue to celebrate these women!
DeleteHelene! What a woman--how is it we've never heard of her? I wonder if she's famous in France. I'll go read more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting and kudos again for the artistry in your presentation. I just love it, the modern and the vintage mixed so effortlessly.
She was born in Belgium and ended up in France. Let me know if you find anything!
DeleteWow--love this. You always find fascinating people, Diane! Love the poem--hate that the core of it is still true today. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we've haven't come nearly as far as we should have by 2017!
DeleteFascinating lady! Thanks for shining a spotlight on her!
ReplyDeleteNo so much a spotlight as an unearthing!
DeleteApologies if I have commented twice. Helene sounds like quite the woman. Thank you for sharing her with us and hosting Poetry Friday.
ReplyDelete