The Bravest Woman in America; who was she?

Ida Lewis is known as the bravest woman in America, a lighthouse keeper credited with saving numerous lives from drowning.

When Ida was twelve her father, Hosea Lewis, was appointed lighthouse keeper in Newport, Rhode Island, unfortunately, Hosea suffered a terrible stroke after only four months. In the wake of her father’s stroke Ida and her mother, Zoraida, began to take over the duties of lighthouse keeper. In addition Ida rowed her three siblings to school everyday, greatly improving her rowing abilities, which would become very important in her many rescues. Along with her rowing skills, Ida’s swimming greatly improved which brought about the societal rumor that this was ‘unladylike.’

The first of 18 official rescues was that same year, 1858, Ida was rowing across the bay near the lighthouse when a sailboat with four people capsized. The boat had capsized when one of the boys aboard decided to climb the mast, cutting the joyride short. Fourteen-year-old Ida pulled the boys onto her own boat, saving their lives.

Ida completed multiple other rescues with an inadequate amount of thanks, until 1869. Ida was 27 when her mother spotted another capsized skiff, Ida’s untimely cold hadn’t stopped her from heading out with her brother to help. She found two soldiers holding onto an unsteady boat, having been capsized by the intense waters from a sudden snow storm. Sadly, the fourteen year old on board had been launched from the boat and tragically drowned.

This rescue brought her great praise including a gold watch from one of the soldiers and $218 (~$4000 today) raised from a collection in thanks. That same year, July 4th (American Independence Day) was additionally declared Ida Lewis day to honor the young hero. Within the summer thousand of people visited Ida on the lighthouse, Ida also met President Grant which didn’t take place on the island.

Not long after, her father died in 1872, leading to Ida’s return to the lighthouse (having been very unhappily married). Unfortunately, Ida’s mother began to fall ill and she took more and more responsibility in the lighthouse while caring for her siblings. Ida Zordia Lewis died in 1878, leaving Ida to care for the lighthouse.

With the help of Ambrose Burnside (a senator) Ida was officially recognized as a lighthouse keeper, something her mother was never recognized as, with this Ida became the highest paid lighthouse keeper.

Ida continued as a lighthouse keeper earning various titles and awards, which she kept solemnly stored away. Tragically, Ida died in 1911 after a massive stroke, she was 69. After her final time lighting the lantern at the lighthouse, all the ships in bay honored her life with a solemn bell toll.

Ida’s 18 confirmed rescues were honored in a flag, also featuring her lighthouse in the red fabric. The Yacht club was named in honor of the bravest women in America.

“None, but a donkey, would consider it ‘unfeminine’ to save lives.” -Ida Lewis

Sources-

Genealogy, N. E., New England Places To Visit: Museums, Ida Lewis: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know – Top Launch Review, A Tribute to Ida Lewis “Bravest Woman in America” – Top Trends, Lisbeth, The Flying Santa of Coastal New England - New England Historical Society, Six Gravesites of Military Heroes - New England Historical Society, & Burgess, A. (2022, July 18). Ida Lewis, the bravest woman in America. New England Historical Society. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/ida-lewis-bravest-woman-america/

Vleck, J. L. V. (2023, May 2). Ida Lewis, “The bravest woman in america.” Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Blog/Post/12407/Ida-Lewis-The-Bravest-Woman-in-America#:~:text=Idawalley%20(Ida)%20Zoradia%20Lewis%20was,Rock%20Light%20Station%20in%201853.

Wallin, B. L. (2019). Ida Lewis: The Legendary Lady Light Keeper of Lime Rock. Smallstatebighistory.com. http://smallstatebighistory.com/ida-lewis-the-legendary-lady-light-keeper-of-lime-rock/