Spirit of Iris

Iris Cummings Critchell embodies the phrase, “Life favors the prepared mind” coined by Louis Pasteur. After hearing her marvelous stories through the years I felt as her American story needed to be shared. It is a story of pursuit, open-minded determination, and inspiration. Yet, sadly not a story that many are aware of and it should be. This documentary is of a trail blazing woman who not only swam in the 1936 Olympic games held in Germany but she was one of the first women to join the Ferry Command, flew during WWII, and has continued flying, teaching and inspiring minds to be prepared for whatever life brings to them. Iris is almost 95 years young; she still swims daily, and maintains a current pilot’s license and instructor’s rating and continues to give lectures.