LAVALLETTE — Carol Simon Levin, an esteemed expert in women’s history and storytelling, shared a vivid exploration of the challenges, triumphs, and enduring legacy of the Women Airforce Service Program with the Upper Shores Community.
As an independent historian specializing in first-person portrayals, Ms. Levin brings to life the often-overlooked stories of women from the past. Her captivating narratives shed light on the legacy of “women history has forgotten.” Many of her presentations such as Overlooked Ingenuity, Women of the Seas and Stars, Mothers of Invention, have reached a wide range of audiences, including libraries, senior centers, historical societies and various venues.
Ms. Levin’s remarkable expertise has earned her recognition as a New Jersey Council for the Humanities Public Scholar. She is also an active member of esteemed organizations such as the New Jersey Storytelling Network, the National Women’s History Alliance, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
During a presentation on Wednesday, May 24, Ms. Levin brought to life the story of the W.A.S.P.s and Ann Baumgartner, a New Jersey resident who became the first woman to fly the United States Army Air Forces Jet Aircraft. After attending university, Ms. Baumgartner was preparing for medical school. She had a variety of interests in topics such as history, zoology, art and philosophy. Her passion for flying sparked when she began working in the public relations department at Eastern Airlines.
“The best thing about working there was the fact that they had a roof where we could spend our lunch and breaks,” said Ms. Levin as Ms. Baumgartner. From the rooftop view, Ms. Baumgetner was able to watch flights take off from the Somerset Hills airport in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Soon enough, she would find herself earning her first flight at the same location.
This is an excerpt of the print article. For more on this story, read The Ocean Star—on newsstands Friday or online in our e-Edition.
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