Aida de Acosta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Aida de Acosta July 28, 1884 |
| Died | May 26, 1962 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Mrs. Oren Root Sr.; Mrs. Henry Breckinridge |
| Known for | First woman to fly a powered aircraft solo Founder of first U.S. eye institute Executive director of first U.S. eye bank |
| Spouses | Oren Root III
(m. 1908; div. 1922)Henry Breckinridge
(m. 1927; div. 1947) |
| Children | Oren Root IV Alva de Acosta Root |
| Parent(s) | Ricardo de Acosta Micaela Hernández de Alba y de Alba |
| Relatives | Rita de Acosta Lydig (sister) Mercedes de Acosta (sister) |
Aida de Acosta Root Breckinridge (July 28, 1884 – May 26, 1962) was an American socialite and aviator. She was the first woman to fly a powered aircraft solo.[1] In 1903, while in Paris with her mother, she caught her first glimpse of dirigibles. She then proceeded to take only three flight lessons, before taking to the sky by herself.
Later in life, after losing sight in one eye to glaucoma, she became an advocate for improved eye care and was executive director of the first eye bank in America.[2][3]
- ^ Ruíz, Vicki; Virginia Sánchez Korrol (2006). Latinas in the United States: a historical encyclopedia. Indiana University Press. p. 189. ISBN 0-253-34681-9.
- ^ Hess, Stephen (1997). America's political dynasties. Transaction Publishers. p. 268. ISBN 1-56000-911-X.
- ^ "Milestones". Time. June 8, 1962. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011.