Ida Van Smith collection

1971-1990

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. The Ida Van Smith collection consists of printed material documenting Smith's activities and the Ida Van Smith Flight Clubs. Included are some issues of her column "Come Fly with Me," (1971, 1978-1979) and the "Fly with Me Coloring Book" (1988). There are also issues of the journal "Ida Van Smith Flight Clubs" (1970's) and the related "Historical Review" (1977 and 1988), as well as a copy of "Women in Aviation and Space" which includes an article about Smith. Her work with adults is documented by a description of the course she taught at York College. Biographical articles and photocopies of certificates complete this collection (1979-1990).