Bettie Cadou | NewsBreak

Bettie Cadou

Elizabeth (Bettie) Stickler Fruits Cadou was born on New Years Day in 1936 in Bainbridge, Indiana. Although she is best known for being the first female reporter to be given a silver credential badge that permits access to the pit and garage areas of the world-famous racetrack, the Indianapolis 500, on 28 May 1971, Cadou is equally known for her investigative reporting around the state of Indiana, covering the Indiana General Assembly, the Indianapolis Colts, and national profiles of race car drivers. She was elected into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006 and has a journalism scholarship in her name in the Department of Journalism at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.

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Born

1936-01-01

Birth Place

Bainbridge, Indiana, U.S.

Children

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Journal Review

Crawfordsville native Bettie Cadou was the first female journalist to gain access to Gasoline Alley at IMS in 1971

Bettie Cadou knew what she was capable of as a young journalist, but just lacked the career-breaking opportunity. That was until May 28, 1971 — when the Montgomery County native would go where no female journalist had ever been before. Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the help...

CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN2021-05-28

Picture for Crawfordsville native Bettie Cadou was the first female journalist to gain access to Gasoline Alley at IMS in 1971

indianapolismonthly.com

The Indy 500 That Bettie Cadou Knew

May 28, 1971 was a mild Indiana morning, with a clear spring sky hanging over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Men filed into the track in jackets and slacks, women in dresses and heels. One of them would make history that day: Bettie Cadou, who became the first woman reporter granted access to Gasoline Alley and the race pits 50 years ago today.

SPEEDWAY, IN2021-05-28

Picture for The Indy 500 That Bettie Cadou Knew

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Crawfordsville native Bettie Cadou was the first female journalist to gain access to Gasoline Alley at IMS in 1971

The Indy 500 That Bettie Cadou Knew

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