At an air show at Grand Blanc’s Lincoln Oil Air Field, schoolteacher Mildred Doran first discovered her love of flying. Family friend and Lincoln Oil-owner Bill Malloska allowed her to ride along on flights and take the controls for short periods. Looking to market his oil company, Malloska sponsored the plane Miss Doran in the Dole Air Race, which aimed to make the first air crossing of the Pacific Ocean. The educator-aviator rode along as a passenger the media dubbed the “Flying School Ma’rm.” The Miss Doran was one of three planes that disappeared during the race. Today, Mildred Doran is remembered as a pioneer woman in early aviation.