Mary Aquinas Kinskey

Mary Aquinas Kinskey
Personal
Born	Mary Aquinas Kinskey (1894-05-27)May 27, 1894 Zanesville, Ohio
Died	October 20, 1985(1985-10-20) (aged 90–91) Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Religion	Catholic
Nationality	American
Organization
Institute	OSF - Third Franciscan Order

Sister Mary Aquinas Kinskey, OSF was an expert and teacher of aerodynamics and aviation. She was also an accomplished pilot. As such she became a distinguished role model for women in the 20th centiry.

Biography

Mary Kinskey was born in 1894 in Zanesville, Ohio.

She entered a Franciscan convent in 1911 at the age of 17. It seems likely that she joined the order of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity - one branch of Franciscan movement - though sources are not specific about this.

She then graduated from the Catholic University of America in 1926 and started work as a high school teacher. According to the Notre Dame Archives and News, “She became a teacher and her interest in aviation stemmed from the enthusiasm for the subject from her students.”

She retired to the Manitowoc convent after suffering a stroke in 1977. There she remained until her death in 1985.

She was referred to as "Spike" and "Flying Nun". The latter moniker caused speculation about her possible influence on the TV show The Flying Nun.

Famous photographs

Sister Kinskey was photographed during a wartime PR campaign illustrating various women's contribution s to the war effort. These photographs taken by photographer Ann Rosener, archived at the Library of Congress offer some of the most potent records of her life.

Awards

1957, Special citation from the United States Air Force for her “outstanding contributions to the advancement of air power in the interest of national security and world peace.”