GLADYS ROY (1896-1927)

On just her second flight, Gladys Roy co-piloted the plane, stepped out onto its wing and leapt off, floating safely to the ground with a parachute. Then and there she knew that her heart was in daredevil stunts and wing walking.

- JOSEPH NORONHA

Gladys Roy was a 1920s wing walker, barnstormer and film actress, whose aerial stage was over Minnesota and California. She became famous by performing incredible feats that would terrify most people and quickly gained a reputation as a daredevil. Among the spectacular stunts she executed on the wing of a plane in flight was walking blindfold from wingtip to wingtip and dancing the Charleston. However, what really caught the attention of people worldwide was an airborne tennis match she played with another woman. She also made a parachute jump from 17,000 feet and one from just 100 feet, sustaining severe injuries in the process. The latter feat made her the unratified world record holder for the lowest parachute jump.

Gladys Roy was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to her tombstone she was born in 1896. Other sources put the date later – anything up to 1904. Quite likely she wished to appear younger than she was to impress the crowds and appeal to Hollywood. Three of her brothers were pilots with Northwest Airlines. In 1921 Gladys experienced her first joyride. A week later, on just her second flight, she co-piloted the plane, stepped out onto its wing and leapt off, floating safely to the ground with a parachute. Then and there she knew that her heart was in daredevil stunts and wing walking.