|
How High She Flies: Dorothy Swain Lewis, WASP of WWII, Horsewoman, Artist, Teacher
Excerpt from Airport Journal, April 2003
by By Karen Di Piazza
"How High She Flies, WASP of WWII, Horsewoman, Artist and Teacher," by Cooper with Dorothy Swain Lewis (Aviatrix Publishing, 1998), tells of a woman who Cooper says was "born to excel, in her every achievement."
"Dot was born into a musical and intellectual family in Asheville, North Carolina," Cooper said.
"Her mother was a concert pianist, her uncle received a Pulitzer Prize for his musical compositions, her father was a learned and respected judge and her brother became a state senator," Cooper said.
Lewis unveiled her fourth bronze sculpture of a Women Airforce Service Pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997; the artist was honoring her sister pilots of World War II, depicting the life that they all devoted in service to our country.
"Lewis served as a WASP, teaching flying to other WASP and taking to the cockpits of the P-39 and P-40 fighters and to the B-26 Martin Marauder," Cooper said. "Her sculptures commemorate the bravery, patriotism and courage of the women who were our country's first female military pilots."
The quintessential teacher, Lewis instructed Navy pilots for WWII and many students after the war. She also taught horsemanship. "Model Hunter," a mare that she trained, took best in show at the New York City National Horse Show. Lewis also taught science and art at The Orme School in Arizona and Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts in California. In addition, she created the ongoing annual Fine Arts Festival at Orme in 1968.
Her bronze statues grace Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas; The Confederate Air Force Museum, Midland, Texas; the U.S. Air Force Museum and the Honor Court of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Book Description from Amazon.com
How High She Flies is a beautiful book about an extraordinary woman! Dorothy Swain Lewis is an artist and sculptor, a teacher and mother, a bright and humorous lady whose story is an inspiration. A World War II WASP, Dot has created the bronze statues to her fellow fliers at the Air Force Academy and the Air Force Museum, among other sites. Her statues, paintings and cartoons are included in this well-written and beautifully illustrated coffee table book that truly celebrates a lady who has flown mighty high!
 The WASPs have received from you, Dot, a work of art that will stand at the Honor Court of the United States Air Force Academy for a long, long, time. …Your WASP bronze looks skyward with the spirit of ALL THE WASPs who loved to fly, who loved our country, who volunteered to fly the most advanced military airplanes ont the line. …Thank you, Dot, for inspiring us.
- Dawn Seymour, WASP Memorial Chairman
…We always hold a special place in our hearts for people who topuuch our lives by igniting a passion and opening the window of possibilities. For me, Dot is that person. …I look back with love and gratitude for this wonderful and creative woman, [my teacher] who saw the spark and fanned the flame of flight within me.”
- Phil Reed, Skystar Aircraft Corporation
“…Dot Swain Lewis, from the beginning – a great pilot, a wonderful guitar player, ‘Miss Ophelia Jones’ the great stunt pilot, …a splendid artist …”
- Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General from her speech at the dedication of the WASP sculpture in the Honor Court of the USAF Academy, 1997
|