Madge Minton

American field assistant who worked with her husband, Sherman A. Minton (1919–1999), a physician, herpetologist and toxinologist, who conducted the earliest detailed modern studies of amphibians and reptiles in Pakistan. She did his library research, cared for his live reptile collection and learned to milk venomous snakes for his research into venoms. The couple also collaborated on two popular books: Venomous Reptiles in 1971, and Giant Reptiles in 1973. In her youth she was interested in natural history but even more fascinated by aircraft, she wanted to be a pilot. In 1938 Madge transferred to Butler University, Indianapolis where she embarked on an Advanced Civilian Pilot Training Program which was sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA). Although she was one of the top ten students, she was refused further advancement due to her sex. Her response was to write to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She subsequently received a letter admitting her to the CAA advanced pilot's program. She graduated with a B.A. in 1941. She died on 7 November 2004. Link to Wikipedia biography