Dolors Vives Rodon facts for kids
Dolors Vives i Rodon (born August 15, 1909 – died June 12, 2007) was a brave Spanish pilot. She was also known as Lolita Vives. Dolors was one of the first women in Spain to fly an airplane. In May 1935, she became the second woman from Catalonia to get her pilot's license. She even flew for the Republican army during the Spanish Civil War.
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Early Life and Learning to Fly
Dolors Vives was born in a town called Valls on August 15, 1909. When she was 12, her family moved to Barcelona. Her father was a pharmacist, and her family encouraged her to be independent.
She went to a special school called the Institut de Cultura i Biblioteca Popular de la Dona. This school taught girls to think for themselves and be strong.
Becoming a Pilot
In 1932, her father encouraged her to join the Aero Club Popular de Barcelona. She became one of the first members of this flying club. Dolors quickly learned how to fly an airplane.
By 1935, she earned her official pilot's license. This was a big achievement for a woman at that time! In 1936, she became the president of the Aero Club. That same year, she also got a license to fly gliders, which are planes without engines.
Flying During the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War started in 1936. Dolors Vives joined the Republican Army to help her country. She used her flying skills to train young people to become pilots. These new pilots helped form the Republican Air Force.
She also flew important missions herself. She would fly along the Mediterranean coast to gather information. These were called reconnaissance missions.
After the War
When the war ended, many people who supported the Republican side left Spain. But Dolors Vives stayed in Barcelona. She became a piano teacher and took care of a large family with 12 children.
Dolors Vives Rodon lived a long life. She passed away in Barcelona on June 12, 2007, when she was 97 years old. She is remembered as a true pioneer in aviation.
See also
Learn more about Dolors Vives Rodón in Spanish: Dolors Vives Rodón para niños
