From her web site: Shortly after high school graduation, a member of the local Sky Club first introduced her to flight. After an exhilarating flight in a Piper Cub, she was hooked. Borrowing $100 from the local bank, she paid the dues and began flight lessons. It was at the Club that she read a notice from the military asking for women pilots interested in assuming duties to free male pilots for overseas combat. Quickly obtaining the minimum 35 flight hours, she applied. At the minimum of 5'3", with help of extra socks, Strohfus passed the physical and began her training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas in 1943.