Smith, Ida Van, 1917-

Ida Van Smith obtained her pilot's license at the age of fifty. A New York City school teacher, she sought to expose black children to a career in aviation, and in 1967 founded the Ida Van Smith Flight Clubs for children and adults. The flight schools were located in New York City, her home town of Lumbarton in North Carolina, Fort Worth, Texas and in St. Lucia. Smith also wrote a newspaper column called "Come Fly with Me," produced a journal entitled The Ida Van Smith Flight Clubs, Inc., and authored the "Fly with Me Coloring Book." She received numerous awards for her achievements in aviation education.

From the description of Ida Van Smith collection, 1971-1990. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 79450368