Items · Higher Education in South Texas

Women in uniforms in a group of two rows of five.

WASP Group Photo

Image of text that reads "Page 4
I worked enough "K" time to have three months off to travel in Europe
with a friend from Arkansas; a neurosurgeon (female-one of the rare ones at
that time) that was doing some study at Queen's Hospital in London. We left
very little unseen or unexplored in those three months! I bought a VW "bug"
which was driven 6,000 miles into every back alley, pensione and up to every
mountain we could find...and of course, that's another story!
At any rate, I managed to coordinate my work hours on weekends, stayed
on campus at Natchitoches, LA (Northwestern) to get enough hours to apply for
a PhD, only to be turned down because of my sex!! So... Scotch-like, I figured I
was better off "as is" since it was quite challenging anyway. If I live long
enough (I'll be 83 on December 24th!), I'll fill in the gaps from retirement to the
present. I've seen so much of this world (46 countries in 10 years)-they even
know me in the back alleys of Hong Kong!
We won't go into my health, but usually I rally most of the time, but have
an occasionally rough day or more at times. I'm the last of my family and am
really like the Eveready battery-"Going and blowing"!
With warmest regard,"

Letter from Charlyene Creger

Dr. Charlyene Creger with patient

Image of text that reads- "graduate school was rejected because "no women in the field of physio 5gjcal
psychology." Application to med school was rejected because I wa(s a
female and would keep some male from being accepted and I would marry and
never practice.
1964 While in the work span of 1960-68 I again had enough "comp" time to spend 3
months in Europe, and was invited to view and form comparative analysis of
anesthesia with the Queen's anesthesiologist being my mentor. WE ARE SUPER by
comparison.
1968 Fell off the house and compounded and comminuted the left tibia - after 3
surgeries (18 months in casts and braces) I returned to L.S.U.
1969 While still in a long leg brace I was "loaned" to a new state hospital in Baton
Rouge, LA as Chief of the Anesthisia Dept. - Returned tc outhpctro er about 14
1970 Freelanced i o thportxnd country towns within 90 miles and El Dorado,
Arkansas, while anM. was in a residency in anesthisia.
1972 Returned to L.S.U. and also worked at Shriner's Hospital on surgery days and O.B.
call at anothe thp) pifAte irefdin 1980.
1980 Upon retirement I hit the road - In China I observed acupuncture in communes.
I've wanted to work with the barefoot doctors but am too old to learn the
language. 46 countries later I stilll enjoy travelling. At age 70 I parasailed over
Acapulco Bay and received an ovation from about 200 workman when I knocked down
three men on landing. Hot air balloning in Africa and ro -codpjot with a one armed JL1"
pilother . None can compare with the one to Russia. Eughenia ) visited in 1990 - She
also visited in D.C. with Elaine Harmon, Lorainne, and T .o~y Quite an experiences
1990 Chosen the "Forgotten Hero" and onor d 'howeverI refused it unless all 1074 were
included n was done. Sincergi've given so many speeches in an a ejmt to
get funds for WIMSAJAFB, LA asked me to speak at Women's Week ?WIarch, /43i r
.__ It was quite an honor ' 2 game
It seems that I should have hs iiecoaching in speaking for during the years of trying
to get WASP militarization I a used "comp" time to bum rides with Royale airlines to fly)(me) '
free to various military tiri meetings. I followed our colorful Governor Edwin Edwards in
N.Og a captive audience, our petition was accepted and wen Nate o i in~Colorado. e
Dorothy Davis (W-10) sent money for my expenses there. I mari e in the rain front and center
- perhaps the first time a WASP was so honored. This is a story in itself. Bet Reed (W-9) and
Doris Tanner also had their state representatives there to back us upggN.J. Williams.gave a
stirring speech which must have influenced them favorably. This deserves more space but I
won't do a thesis right now. I did feel very strongly about this and devoted a lot of time and
effort toward this. WE WON, didn't we? And to read the hearings of 1945 I want to dig up our
Louisianna Congressman who stated: "Have these women take off those glamorous uniforms
and put on nurse's uniforms!" How ignorant!"

Charlyene Creger timeline education 2

Image of newspaper article that reads "1945
CHARLYNE CREGER
Miss Charlyne Creger, Norman, a member of the final class of Women Airforce Service Pilots whe will receive their wings in a cere- mony at Avenger field, Sweetwater Tex., today.
Gen. Henry H. Arnold, command ing general of the Army Air forces; Lt. Gen. Barton K. Yount, com manding general of the AAF Train- ng command; Miss Jacqueline Coch
director of women pilots; and cers of the training command are scheduled to take part in the program. The AAF will pay tribute to the WASP for their contribution to the air war effort.
The ceremony will coincide with termination of the WASP training program and with start of a two- weeks period during which the en- tire WASP utilization program will be deactivated.
The WASPs have completed an aerial and ground school curricu- um which is equivalent to that given male aviation cadets. Today there are WASPS who fly all com- bat aircraft types including the jet plane, the fastest fighter types, and B-29 Superbombers in diversified classes of work.
Miss Creger's mother, Mrs. C. L. Creger, 613 Nebraska street, and sister, Mrs. H. C. Bailey, jr., left Tuesday night for Sweetwater to at- tend the graduation exercises."

Charlyene Creger newspaper announcing graduation

A woman in a pilot uniform with text that reads "Charlyene Creger Women Airforce Service Pilots"

Charlyene Creger Military Picture

Image of text that reads "CHARLYNE CREGER
Born in Norman, Oklahoma
Graduated from High School, Norman, Okla.
Attended University of Oklahoma, Norman.
WWII- Night employee at Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, in order to take
flying lessons in the daytime. Earned pilot's license 1943,and was accepted
as a trainee in an experimental flight training program for women, March,1944,
until deactivation December 20, 1944.
4 c 7-.1r
Brief a t.-o-n duty at Waco AAF, Waco, TX, for training cadets in instrument
flying.
Flew for a salvage company, Oklahoma City, flying aircraft from Arkansas to
Las Vegas, Nev., for auction, 1945.
Scholarship student in nurses training, 1947-50. Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX.
Accepted as an AF nurse during the Korean Conflict 1951-52. Injured and
medically discharged.
Assistant Director, Shriners' Hospital,Shreveport, La., 1952-1954.
Anesthesia training, Baylor Hospital, Dallas, TX, 1954-1955.
B.S. in nursing, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA. 1963.
Post graduate observation in Anesthesia, St. Thomas Hospital, London, England,
1964. -j
Anesthetist, primarily for emergencies, LSU Medical Center, Shreveport, LA,
1960-68; 1972-1980. Retired 1980.
On Loan as Chief Anesthetist, Earl K. Long Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA 1968-69
May Day, 1990, one of three WASPS honored in Red Square, Moscow, with Nadya
Popova, Russia's most decorated WW II woman pilot,a member of the "Night
Witches".
At age 70, parasailed over Acapulco Bay.
At this time, a field representative for W.I.M.S.A.,Women in Military Service
of America. Hopefully, enough funds will be available for ground breaking
in June,1995, for monument.
.ie-.-. /3A " - AL3 - c'"

Charlyene Creger biographical timeline

A collage with text reads "WASP WWII" at the top with images of newspapers and women in uniforms, insignias, and aircraft. More text at the bottom that reads "Chrlyne Creger, 44-w-10. Women Airforce Service Pilots- First women in history to fly American Military Aircraft!"

Charlyene Creger Collage

A photo of a woman standing next to an airplane in a gold frame.

Charlyene Creger posing in front of military aircraft

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Interview with Mercurio Martinez

Texas lawmakers file legislation to create a medical school in RGV

UTPA President Dr. Robert Nelson and UTB President Dr. Juliet Garcia filed Legislation at the State Capital for The Rio Grande Medical School

information about campus food pantry opening

Caller Times - snap shot

snap shot of the Caller Times article about the opening of Izzy's Food Pantry

July 4, 1947 article

March 19, 1947 Article

A hand inside La Raza glove

criticism of RUP tactics and leadership for turning on members who disagreed with some actions from party leadership. One accuser lost his teaching job, while another says he was called a derogatory slur, "coco vendido," after he spoke up.

Change Coming in Robstown

opinion piece describing the very close loss by the RUP candidate to the Democrat for governor in Robstown voting. The piece implies that Chicanos in Robstown are fed up with Dr. Garcia and Democrats in general, especially in regard to long-overdue educational reforms.

Meza opens office

article describing the candidacy of Daniel Meza for the RUP. Meza criticizes the Democratic candidate for not having taken a public stand during the march for equality in educational financing the previous year.

Raza Unida cool on bond issue

RUP leaders skeptical of bond items, with the exception of the upper-level college proposal. Even on that item, some unease about current educational availability at Del Mar and Texas A&I is indicated.Albert Huerta, RUP party chairman, speaks on lack of proposals that benefit Chicanos in the area.

No need to pretend

Letter to the editor expressing disdain for Texas school board's deception toward Mexican-American voters.

Muniz, La Raza slate endorsed by Bonilla

article explaining Tony Bonilla, director of LULAC, endorsing Muniz for governor. Much criticism for the Democratic and Republican candidates was included in the announcement.

A Question for Muniz

letter to the editor, criticizing Raza Unida organizing strategies

Is Dr. Garcia Really Our Leader?

opinion piece, criticizing Dr. Garcia for promoting the Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Frances Farenthold, instead of the Raza Unida candidate.

Muniz Attacks Nixon's Neglect

article describing the RUP gubernatorial candidate, Ramsey Muniz's disapproval of how Nixon may have not followed through on his promise to Mexican-American voters