Beyond The Powder: The Legacy of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race

BEYOND THE POWDER is a documentary film that follows the female pilots of the 2014 Air Race Classic racers as they make their way across the country, while telling the story of the first women's cross-country air race of 1929, also known as the Powder Puff Derby. The first Women's Air Derby in 1929-which was comprised of 20 women, including Amelia Earhart-was flown from Santa Monica to the finish line in Cleveland, kicking off the National Air Races. The country watched as these brave women made history flying cross-country, breaking into a competition that was thought to be for men only. They encountered sabotage, death, and all the difficulties of flying at the dawn of aviation. Today the Powder Puff Derby continues as the Air Race Classic, with modern day racers carrying out the legacy and the adventurous spirit of the original racers. Showing that they were more than just their make-up, the original Derby contestants have inspired those flying today to truly push beyond the powder.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 0


Watch Beyond The Powder: The Legacy of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race - Clips, Episodes & Previews




NHPBS Over-the-Air Broadcast

WENH-TV Ch. 11 Durham

WLED-TV Ch. 48 Littleton

WEKW-TV Ch. 18 Keene

W50DP-D Ch. 50 Hanover

W34DQ-D Ch. 34 Pittsburg

Cable and Satellite Channels


NHPBS Five Channels

NHPBS - 11.1

Explore - 11.2

World - 11.3

Create - 11.4

Kids - 11.5

All of our channels and NHK World Japan are streaming LIVE ONLINE and on the PBS App, available on most devices.

Learn More


 

Community Impact

NHPBS NHPBS Passport Passport

Trespasses | Episode 1
Marble Hall Murders | Episode 2
The Marlow Murder Club | Episode 1
American Masters | Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World [EAD]
Resolve to Solve with Miles O'Brien | Return of the Wild in Argentina
Pacific Heartbeat | M?h?: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter
Made in the West | Made in the West
City of a Million Dreams | City of a Million Dreams
POV | The Dating Game
Dook Chase: A Chef's Journey | The Freshest Ingredients - Farm to Table at DiCarlo Creole Farms
Once Upon a Time in Space | Friends Forever
America the Bountiful: America's 250th Anniversary Special | America the Bountiful: America's 250th Anniversary Special
Laura Flanders & Friends | Illinois Successfully Ends Cash Bail: Why Is No One Talking About It?
Food. Curated. | AAPI: The New Asian Food Wave
The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins: Bob Ross' Unfinished Season | Winter Glow
Rick Steves' Europe | Rick Steves Best of London
The War That Made America | Turning the Tide
Independent Lens | True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power
The Kimberley: Australia's Wild West | Into the Fire
The American Southwest | The American Southwest
Capturing America: The Carol Highsmith Story | Capturing America: The Carol Highsmith Story
Destination Detroit | Destination Detroit | Documentary
Grantchester | Episode 8
Waal River Crossing: 1944 | Waal River Crossing: 1944
Patience | Music In The Minster
Les Stroud's Survivorman | Arizona Desert Part 2
Opportunity Knocks | Dreams Within Reach
Michalopoulos - The Art of Celebration | Michalopoulos - The Art of Celebration
Generations: California @250 | Filipino Americans in San Jose
Sally: A Solo Play | Sally: A Solo Play
The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony | The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony
Wired For Connection | Wired For Connection
Before America | Before America
Secrets of the Dead | China's Bronze Kingdom
Shared Planet | Waters
The Savers of Flavor | It's A Great Pumpkin