Aida de Acosta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aida de Acosta
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| 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 |
| Spouse(s) |
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 (born July 28, 1884 – died May 26, 1962) was an amazing American woman. She was a socialite, which means she was well-known in high society. More importantly, she made history as the very first woman to fly a powered aircraft all by herself!
This incredible event happened in 1903. While visiting Paris with her mother, Aida saw dirigibles for the first time. These were like large, steerable balloons. After just three flight lessons, she bravely took to the sky on her own.
Years later, Aida faced a personal challenge when she lost sight in one eye due to a condition called glaucoma. This experience inspired her to become a strong supporter of better eye care. She even became the executive director of the first eye bank in America, helping many people.
Contents
Aida de Acosta: A Pioneer in the Sky
Early Life and Family
Aida was born in 1884 in Elberon, a part of Long Branch, New Jersey. Her father, Ricardo de Acosta, was a successful steamship executive who was born in Cuba. Her mother was Micaela Hernández de Alba y de Alba. Aida had seven siblings, including her sisters Mercedes de Acosta and Rita de Acosta Lydig, who became well-known writers and socialites.
The Historic First Flight
Aida de Acosta's most famous achievement happened on June 27, 1903, when she was just nineteen years old. She was in Paris, a city known for its exciting innovations.
A Daring Adventure in Paris
In Paris, Aida met Alberto Santos-Dumont, a famous Brazilian aviator. Santos-Dumont was a celebrity at the time. He was known for flying his personal dirigible, called "No. 9," around the city. He would even park it outside his favorite restaurants!
Santos-Dumont showed Aida how to control his dirigible. After a quick lesson, Aida took "No. 9" into the sky all by herself. She flew it from Paris all the way to the Château de Bagatelle, a beautiful castle. Santos-Dumont followed below on his bicycle, waving his arms and shouting advice.
The World's First Woman Pilot
When Aida landed, Santos-Dumont was amazed. He exclaimed, "Mademoiselle, vous êtes la première aero-chauffeuse du monde!" This means, "Miss, you are the first woman aero-driver in the world!" And he was right! Aida de Acosta was the first woman ever to pilot any kind of motorized aircraft. This happened almost six months before the Wright brothers made their famous first flight in a heavier-than-air plane.
Her first flight ended on a polo field at Bagatelle, right in the middle of a polo match. Spectators helped her out of the dirigible's basket. After watching some polo with Santos-Dumont, Aida got back into the dirigible and flew it back to Neuilly St. James. The entire adventure lasted about one and a half hours.
Life After the Flight
When Aida's parents heard about her flight, they were quite worried. They were concerned about how society might view her adventurous spirit. So, they decided to keep her amazing flight a secret for many years. It wasn't until the 1930s that Aida shared the full story with her husband and a young naval officer.
Interestingly, Aida was the only person Santos-Dumont ever allowed to fly one of his many aircraft. Santos-Dumont, who never married, kept a photograph of Aida on his desk for the rest of his life. However, there is no record that they stayed in close contact after her historic flight.
Her Family Life
Aida de Acosta married twice during her life.
- In 1908, she married Oren Root III. He was the son of Oren Root II and the nephew of Elihu Root, a famous American statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Aida and Oren had two children: a son named Oren Root IV (born in 1911) and a daughter named Alva de Acosta Root (born in 1914). Their daughter was named after Alva Belmont, a well-known supporter of women's right to vote. They later divorced in 1922.
- In 1927, she married Colonel Henry S. Breckinridge. He was a lawyer and had served as an assistant secretary of war under President Woodrow Wilson. They divorced in 1947.
Championing Eye Health
In 1922, Aida was diagnosed with glaucoma, an eye disease. She eventually lost sight in one eye. However, the care she received from a famous eye specialist, Dr. William H. Wilmer, saved her other eye.
This experience deeply moved Aida. It inspired her to dedicate herself to improving eye care for others. She organized a huge fundraising campaign that collected $3 million. This money helped establish the Wilmer Eye Institute in 1925 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. This was the very first eye institute in the United States.
Later, in 1945, Aida became the executive director of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration in New York. This was the first eye bank in the U.S., playing a vital role in helping people regain their sight.
Later Years
Aida de Acosta passed away in Bedford, New York, on May 26, 1962, at the age of 77. Her life was a testament to courage, innovation, and a deep commitment to helping others.
See also
