Tory Burch Posthumous Founder's Award
Accepted by Jennifer Pitt for her grandmother.
Olive Ann Beech
Manhattan, New York
15th Anniversary Edition
The Barnstormer and the Lady
A Remarkable Couple, An Extraordinary American Story
Chapter 1 of 6
The Barnstormer and the Lady
Aviation Legends Walter and Olive Ann Beech
This is the story of Walter and Olive Ann Beech, the remarkable couple whose careers spanned virtually the entire history of American aviation.
Chapter 2 of 6
The barnstorming years
Walter Beech flies as a barnstormer.
Chapter 3 of 6
The Great Depression
Walter and Olive Ann Beech found Beech Aircraft Corp.
Chapter 4 of 6
Olive Ann
Even before Walter's shockingly early death, Olive Ann had quietly assumed the dominant role in their company. She was a woman in a man's world, one of the very first women in American history to lead a major corporation.
Chapter 5 of 6
15th Anniversary Edition
The Barnstormer and the Lady begins with an era when pilots still wore scarves and leather helmets and to fly was, quite literally, to defy death.
Chapter 6 of 6
April 2026
Book signing — Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Washington, D.C.
In the press
- Vogue
- CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)
- WWD (Women's Wear Daily)
- Global Woman Leader
- Plane & Pilot
- King Air Magazine
- General Aviation News
- Vintage Aviation News
- Women Soaring Pilots Association
- American Bonanza Society
- Beechcraft Heritage Magazine
15th Anniversary Edition
The Barnstormer and the Lady
Aviation Legends Walter and Olive Ann Beech
$44.95
USDIn stock
Signed copies
Jennifer Pitt signs copies for readers who buy the book from this site. After you order, she usually emails to ask whether you would like yours signed.
“… one of the greatest stories in the history of American aviation and entrepreneurship.”
Their story.
On his first meeting with Olive Ann Beech
“It was my first experience with a woman who was running a high-powered company. To me, that was something. That was high class.”
Honors & appearances
A legacy recognized.
Featured at America 250 · Wings of Freedom Day, Washington, D.C., July 2026
Honors & appearancesPaul E. Garber First Flight Shrine Induction
Walter and Olive Ann Beech
Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Watch
There is more to the story.
An introduction from Jennifer Pitt
Book trailer
PBS Kansas Presents on Olive Ann Beech, The Queen of Aviation
Posthumous Founder Award: Olive Ann Beech | 2026 Tory Burch Foundation Founders Breakfast
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News of the book, upcoming appearances and new additions to this site, from Jennifer Pitt.