Ruth Alexander
Toronto Daily Star, September 5 1930
Ruth Alexander (1905-1930) had set an altitude record on July 11 1930, reaching 26,000 feet despite briefly losing consciousness due to the high altitude. She had just completed her trip from Tijuana to Vancouver and back on August 31.
Tragically, she lived for less than a month after this photograph appeared. On September 18 1930, she took off from Lindbergh Field in San Diego and crashed just west of the airport, perishing instantly on impact.
Created November 10, 2025.