UND Community Class: Air Racing Aviatrixes - Featuring the Legendary Florence Klingensmith to UND’s Frozen Force Air Race Team

Explore the historic significance of North Dakota’s first licensed female pilot, Florence Klingensmith, with the premiere of the regionally Emmy nominated short film The Aviatrix. Join us to learn more about female aviators/pilots (aviatrixes). After the viewing of the film, we will be joined by local Klingensmith expert, Marisa Bengtson-Loerzel who led the initiative to rename the Moorhead Regional Airport in honor of the aviatrix. The current Aerospace Air Race Classic Team, the Frozen Force, will join us and share their experiences in air racing today and how their team prepares for the grueling 2,400 mile flight that will take place in June of 2025.

Elizabeth Bjerke, Ph.D. is Associate Dean and Professor in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. She started the UND Chapter of Women in Aviation as a student in 1998 and has since been a faculty advisor for the past 23 years. Elizabeth will be joined by guest Marisa Bengtson-Loerzel, and the UND Frozen Force Air Race Team