Mary Ann Lippitt
Mary Ann Lippitt
Mary Ann Lippitt
Born
Mary Ann Lippitt

(1918-06-29)June 29, 1918
Beverly Farms, Massachusetts
DiedJune 18, 2006
Providence, Rhode Island
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)aviator, businesswoman, philanthropist

Mary Ann Lippitt (June 29, 1918 – June 18, 2006) was an American pilot and philanthropist, who founded an aviation business after World War II.

Early life

Lippitt was born as Mary Ann Lippitt in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, the daughter of Senator Henry F. Lippitt and golfer Lucy Hayes Herron Lippitt. Her aunt was Helen Herron Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft. Her uncle was Charles W. Lippitt, Governor of Rhode Island. Her paternal grandparents were Henry Lippitt, who also served as Governor of Rhode Island, and Mary Ann Balch Lippitt, for whom she was named.[1] Her brother was military officer and politician Frederick Lippitt.[2] As a young teen in 1931, she played in the national girls' lawn tennis championships.[3] During World War II, she learned to fly planes.[4]

Career

The house Mary Ann Lippitt and Frederick Lippitt shared in Providence, now owned by Brown University.

Lippitt worked as a flying instructor in Virginia and flew for the postal service during World War II.

In 1946, Lippitt formed Lippitt Aviation Services, a charter, repair, and instructional service[5] with a fleet of four planes,[4] based at T. F. Green Airport (formerly Hillgrove Airport) in Warwick, Rhode Island.[6][7] Lippitt became as one of the first women business owners in Rhode Island.[7] In 1972, Lippitt sold her business. She flew in the International Women's Air Race in 1956, but had to make an emergency landing in Buffalo, New York, in difficult weather.[8]

In 2001, Lippitt donated $1 million to the Providence Public Library, where she had been a member of the Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1993. A branch of the library was later named for Lippitt.[9] In 2004, she and her brother were awarded the President's Medal from Brown University for their philanthropy.[10]

Personal life

Lippitt lived with her brother until his death in 2005.[2]

In 2006, Lippitt died in Providence, Rhode Island. She was 87. Lippitt is buried in Swan Point Cemetery, with her brother's. The home she shared with Frederick Lippitt was donated to Brown University after her death.[11] The Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown University is located in the Frederick Lippitt and Mary Ann Lippitt House.[12] In 2013 she was inducted into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.[7][13]

References

  1. ↑ "Lippitt House Museum | History of House and People Who Lived There". Preserve Rhode Island | Statewide Advocate for Historic Places. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  2. 1 2 "Lippitt (obituary)". The New York Times. May 17, 2005. p. D8 – via ProQuest.
  3. ↑ "Miss Eaton Beaten by Miss Winthrop". The New York Times. December 30, 1931. p. 22 – via ProQuest.
  4. 1 2 "Woman Flier Runs Charter Plane Firm". San Bernardino Sun. December 25, 1952. p. 9. Retrieved July 14, 2019 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  5. ↑ "The New England Section" The Ninety-Nines Newsletter (November 1957): 3.
  6. ↑ "Women aviators at T.F. Green Airport". Green Airport. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  7. 1 2 3 Morgan, Thomas J. (October 31, 2013). "RI Aviation Hall of Fame to honor seven". Providence Journal. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  8. ↑ "Miserable Weather Bogs Down Women's Air Race". The Morning News. May 17, 1956. p. 20. Retrieved July 14, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Staff, P. B. N. (2002-07-15). "RI philanthropist Mary Ann Lippitt gives $1 million". Providence Business News. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  10. ↑ "Brown University Portrait Collection". Office of the Curator. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  11. ↑ Avery, Camden (2005-09-13). "Lippitt leaves the University a legacy". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  12. ↑ "Location & Contact Information". Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America, Brown University. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  13. ↑ "Mary Ann Lippitt » Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame". Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame. 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
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