Even while competing, the women pilots were supportive of each other. Why do you believe this was? Would it have been the same, do you think, had the participants been all male? Why or why not?

Even while competing, the women pilots were supportive of each other (e.g., agreeing to wait for Earhart to receive a new propeller). Why do you believe this was? Would it have been the same, do you think, had the participants been all male? Why or why not?

United we stand, divided we fall--there is strength in numbers. Were there no women competing there eventually would have been need for the men to unite as well, since the manufacturers and promoters would have chosen some over others to support.

As is the case for any minority attempting to break into a new field of endeavor there is strength to be enjoyed in numbers. They stuck together to make sure that all of them could succeed.

The women knew they were fighting for more than flight records. They could not vote or sit on juries in the beginning of the book. Things were changing and the women knew their fragile freedoms required solidarity to survive into another generation. Men did not suffer the legal restrictions on their lives the women dealt with on a daily basis. The men were free to compete full out. It seems likely that if adversity had arisenthe men would also have supported each other, although perhaps to a lesser degree.

I think they understood that there was much more at stake than just their flying. This was about opportunities for women in all fields. I was so impressed that even though they competed with each other they always had each other’s back and didn’t want to see anyone fail.

This actually surprised me quite a bit. I'd mentioned in another comment that I'd read Crossing the Horizon, which chronicles three women's attempts to cross the Atlantic. Perhaps because it wasn't a race per se (there wasn't a starting whistle or anything) that maybe they were more aware of being in competition with each other. In Fly Girls, the women racing against each other certainly seemed to have more camaraderie, to all be on the same team. I very seriously doubt that any all-male organization would ever show that level of support for one another.

I agree with skagitgrits's comments - anytime in history when a disenfranchised group attempts to enter a new area, field, etc. there is strength in numbers. The strength in numbers aids each individual in their efforts to continue even when things get difficult and they normally might want to give up. It also presents to outsiders that it not an outlier but a social change taking place.

This was and still is a very limited area and vocation for women. Therefore most women pilots still would rather give a helping hand and encouragement to a fellow pilot even if they are competing..

I think the women stood together because they didn't receive any support from the men in aviation. I don't think the men offered the same level of support to each other - it seemed that the egos were more important than the support that they could have provided. Overall, I think women support each other more than men support each other.

Women frequently take on the role of being caring of others, being supportive and encouraging. I am not sure whether this is innate or learned.

I think the attitude of the women, the way they banded together and supported each other, is very unique to their gender. They seemed to believe that a victory for any woman was a Victory for all women. I don’t think the men had the same belief.

There were so many men flying and so few women that I think they stood together to learn from each other and support each other hoping one of the women would eventually beat a man and in doing so they would all win by furthering the cause of women's equal rights.

I think the women pilots recognized the strength in pulling together as a supportive group rather than standing alone would get them further ahead in this men's only field.

It was a sport populated by men and the few women knew they must band together and support one another. Men would be more competitive with one another.

Women are just more compassionate than men and we tend to gravitate to those like ourselves.

I think the women knew they needed each other in order for things to change. Early on when the author talks about Earhart and Thaden forming a bond because they knew it had to happen in order to battle their way in.