Pilot Jackie Cochran is focus of January Chautauqua book discussion

Jackie Cochran was an amazing pilot, full of daring and always trying for a new record in flight in the mid-20th century. She was dedicated to getting her name into the news. Yet she is not well-known.

The action-packed life of Cochran, which is also a rags to riches story, will be the subject of Ashland Chautauqua’s free virtual book discussion 7 p.m. Jan. 12 via Zoom.

The book, "Jackie Cochran: Pilot in the Fastest Lane," is a biography written by Doris L. Rich. Chautauqua scholar Karen Vuranch will lead the discussion. Vuranch is a performer at Ashland Chautauqua’s summer events. She will portray Cochran in-person during the July event week of Ashland Chautauqua performances.

A colorful character, to say the least, Cochran owned a line of cosmetics and started flying so she could  market those products around the country. She discovered she loved flying, and the publicity even more. Her wealthy husband and assertive personality combined to win her friendships with famous and influential people, such as Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager and President Dwight Eisenhower. However, those factors also gave her a reputation of being brash and egotistical.

It is not necessary to read the book to participate, as Vuranch will summarize it at the beginning of the discussion. However, pre-registration for the book discussion is required through Eventbrite, https://bit.ly/ashlandcochran.

The Cochran book discussion is the second in a series of five based on the theme, “History’s Real Action Figures,” Ashland Chautauqua’s theme for the July 11-15 summer event. The characters to be portrayed in first-person performances at Brookside Park are Meriwether Lewis portrayed by Brian “Fox” Ellis, Jackie Cochran portrayed by Vuranch, Pauli Murray portrayed by Becky Stone, Samuel Bellamy portrayed by Joey Madia and Harry Houdini, portrayed by Larry Bounds.

Each of the scholars will lead a virtual book discussion about their character, held monthly through April. See the Ashland Chautauqua website for a listing of dates and book titles, https://www.ashlandchautauqua.org/bookdisc.php.

All book discussions begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, call 419-281-4584.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Chautauqua book talk will focus on pilot Jackie Cochran