"The nation will hope that Ruth Elder and other girls will stay on the ground hereafter, or do their flying over land and let men like Lindbergh, if there are any like him, do the ocean flying."—Arthur Brisbane.
". . . Overwhelming presumptuousness . . . crazy sensationalism. . . . She has done her share to confirm her countrymen in the idea—if that were possible—that the American girl is the supreme effort of creation"—Zwölf Uhr Blatt (Berlin).
"A woman had no business to attempt such a flight. It was perfectly ridiculous to read of this young person's chatter, of her preparations for the event—her vanity bag, Chinese ring, knickers, black and red four-in-hand tie and pastel-shaded band over dark brown hair—and to remember that she was going to risk her life just to gratify her stupid vanity.
"She is a married woman. Her husband wisely remained att home. If Ruth has any sense left, she will join him now and keep house for him."—The Irish News (Belfast).
"Miss Elder's backers are reported to have ordered her to reveal nothing regarding the flight in order not to rob the story of its commercial and journalistic value —which is typically American and businesslike. "—Echo de Paris.
"This afternoon I am having as my guests at tea a number of high school girls who have won prizes for fast typing. Any one of them, in learning to be a fast, accurate typist, does far more for the community than a dozen Gertrude Ederles or Ruth Elders."—Winifred Sackville Stoner (founder of the League for Fostering Genius).
"Even if she had succeeded, what would she have accomplished for the common good?"—Katherine B. Davis, famed sociologist.
"I said six months ago that I would put the first woman across the Atlantic in a plane. I've promoted projects in Canada and I've promoted oil wells, and I have been promoting operations in Florida, and now I've promoted the first girl across the Atlantic. That's what she means when she wires 'You done it'"—Thomas Henry McArdle, Miss Elder's manager.
And Rollin Kirby, famed cartoonist of the New York World, drew a picture. In the center he had the majestic figure of "The Winged Victory" striding forward against the wind, her loose draped garment blown against strong limbs and matronly bosom. Way off in the margin of the carton stood a roly-poly figure of a girl, marked "Ruth Elder." Her knickers hung in characterless lines. Her kollege kut sweater with checks accentuated the dumpiness. From that ignominious, crowded-out position, she contemplated the noble figure on the pedestal above her. The picture was entitled by Cartoonist Kirby, "The Sisters."