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"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
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Cochran Odlum, Jacqueline "Jackie"
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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran Odlum |
| Address |
, California , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
May 11, 1906
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| Died | August 09, 1980
(74 years)
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Sep 20, 2008 01:26am |
| Tags |
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| Info | Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneer American aviator, considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation. Her contributions to the formation of the wartime Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) and WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) were also significant. She was also critical to the 1960's "Mercury 13" program to test female pilots for spaceflight.
Political activities
Politically ambitious, she ran for Congress in her California home district as the candidate for the Republican Party. Although she defeated a field of five male opponents to win the Republican nomination, in the general election she lost to the Democratic candidate and first Asian-American Congressman, Dalip Singh Saund. Her political setback was one of the few failures she ever experienced and she never attempted another run. Those who knew Jacqueline Cochran have said that the loss bothered her for the rest of her life. However, as a result of her involvement in politics and the military, she would become close friends with General Dwight Eisenhower. In the early part of 1952, she and her husband helped sponsor a large rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City in support of an Eisenhower presidential candidacy. The rally was documented on film and Cochran personally flew it to France for a special showing at Eisenhower's headquarters. Her efforts proved a major factor in convincing Eisenhower to run for President of the United States in 1952 and she would play a major role in his successful campaign. Close friends thereafter, Eisenhower frequently visited her and her husband at their California ranch and after leaving office, wrote portions of his memoirs there.
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