Aida deAcosta Root Breckinridge
Personal Information
Born: 1884
Died: 1962
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Education
Unknown
Professional Life
Field of Study: Aviation; Socialite
Institution/Corporation: Johns Hopkins Wilmer eye Institute; Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration
Degrees & Memberships: Member Municipal Art Committee (1935-40)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: None found
Achievements: 1903 Acosta became the first woman to fly a motorized aircraft on her own in France traveling to a polo game; founder of the 1st US eye institute in 1925, Wilmer Eye Institute in Johns Hopkins Hospital; 1945-55 executive director of Eye-Bank for sight Restoration in NYC the 1st eye bank in the US; was active in children's health issues & spearheaded efforts to hold an annual Child Health Day which is now celebrated the 1st Monday in October; worked for the American Red Cross & the Frontier Nurse Service
daughter of Ricardo de Acosta, a steamship company executive of Cuban descent
was 1 of 7 children
had only 3 lessons before flying solo
lost sight in 1 eye to glaucoma & became an advocate for better eye care
her flight was kept a secret until 1932 because her parents feared the scandal of it would preventher from marrying well & she never flew again
served as chairman of the Municipal Art Committee in NYC 1935-40 & was editor of the art magazine "Exhibition"
Liberia issued a 2-cent postage stamp in her honor
Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute awards a yearly award in her name since 2012