Pen Name:
None
Genre:
Nonfiction: Extraordinary but little known historical women
Website:
Social Media:
Other Contact:
pedaceabq@aol.com
505-349-8850 or cell 505-228-9143
Bio
Donna’s career has been anything but conventional, marked by a series of diverse roles. She began her professional journey in program management at General Dynamics Corp., where she worked on the nuclear prototype and the first operational Trident Submarine in Connecticut, before transitioning to the Phalanx Weapon System project in California. Later, she opened and ran a boutique travel agency in Newport Beach, a venture that allowed her to combine her business acumen with her passion for travel. Her career took another turn when she moved into the nonprofit sector, managing national education and arts organizations. She managed the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center & Museum in Connecticut, the OASIS programs for seniors based in St. Louis, and both the New Mexico Multicultural Foundation and the New Mexico Spanish Colonial Art Society & Museum in Santa Fe. Taking time from her regular jobs for over fifteen years, Donna also worked part-time as a guide for foreign guests of the U.S. State Department, leading tours of New Mexico tailored to each group’s business interests. In retirement, Donna turned her attention to researching and writing about little-known, but amazing women. She has authored four nonfiction books: Scandalous Women of the Old West: Women Who Dared to be Different; Women Warriors: The Hidden Spies of WWII; Women Warriors of WWII: Nancy Wake, The White Mouse; and the recent The Fastest Woman in the World: Jackie Cochran.
Books
Title: The Fastest Woman in the World: Jackie Cochran
Published: May 26, 2026
Genre: Women in History
Jackie Cochran became one of the most accomplished pilots in aviation history, holding more speed, distance, and altitude records than any other flyer — man or woman — of her era. In 1953, she became the first woman to break the sound barrier, and in 1964 she pushed the limits even further, surpassing Mach 2. She also played a decisive role in shaping opportunities for women in aviation. Through persistence and political skill, she persuaded government and military leaders to establish the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a program of more than 1,000 female pilots that she led during World War II. These women tested experimental aircraft, ferried thousands of planes between bases, and carried out a wide range of critical duties across the United States — freeing male pilots for combat at a time when women were barred from serving in combat roles.
Beyond the cockpit, Jackie was equally formidable. She founded and ran a nationwide cosmetics company for nearly three decades, traveled extensively around the world, and hosted U.S. and international dignitaries — alongside close friends — at her fabled ranch in the California desert. It was often said that people either loved her or hated her. She could be a tough critic, set in her ways, and was frequently described as having a personality “like sandpaper.” Yet that same unyielding drive carried a nearly illiterate girl from a Florida mill town into the company of presidents, military leaders, and some of the most influential figures of her time.
Available for Sale
Title: Women Warriors of WWII: Nancy Wake, The White Mouse
Published: November 28, 2025
Genre: Nonfiction, Women
Nancy was one of the most decorated women of World War II and a symbol of courage and defiance against the Nazi occupation of France. As a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent working with the French Resistance, she organized sabotage missions and worked with thousands of Maquis fighters in guerrilla warfare ahead of the Allied invasion. Known to the Gestapo as “The White Mouse” for her uncanny ability to elude capture, she became a legend during her own lifetime. Wake’s fearless leadership and unwavering determination shattered the gender expectations of her era, making her an enduring icon of bravery and resilience. Her remarkable life — before, during, and after the war — is an inspiration to all who cherish freedom and justice.
Available for Sale
Title: Women Warriors: The Hidden Spies of WWII
Published: July 31, 2024
Genre: Nonfiction, Women
A secret British organization, the Special Operations Executive (SOE), fielded 52 women intelligence agents behind German lines in France during World War II. These are the stories about those courageous women who put their lives at risk to help the Allies defeat the Nazis.
Available for Sale
Title: Scandalous Women Of The Old West: Women Who Dared To Be Different
Published: September 25, 2020
Genre: Women of the Old West
This book provides detailed profiles of ten amazing women of the Old West who left their mark on history. They dared to step outside the traditional roles of wife and mother and left society’s conventions behind them. They engaged in a wide range of interests and professions, and their stories will inspire and entertain. All became well known on a national level during their lifetimes, but most have fallen into obscurity over the years. These women overcame incredible odds to make a place for themselves in their chosen world, despite the strong objections of both men and women. They blazed new trails for women who would come after them. They lived in a time when many chose to overlook the ambitions and aspirations of women. But they held their ground, and the personalities of several almost demanded attention and acceptance.