Eleanor was born in 1892. At two years old, she contracted the measles, leaving her deaf. Flying was not always her passion; originally, she worked as a typist-stenographer. One day at her place of work, a colleague suggested that she learn to fly. Soon after she enrolled in aviation school and became the first female pilot in South Dakota! Eleanor's father, Charley Zabel, bought her an open cockpit plane which is now on display at the Southern Museum of Flight in Alabama. As a pilot Eleanor lived an amazing life, all the while refusing to let her so-called "disability" of deafness keep her from having fun. She did aerial stunts, air shows, let people ride in her plane, and so much more.
