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FEATURES I OWNER PROFILE FEATURES I OWNER PROFILE
Kathryn W. Davis: Still on the move
At 105, philanthropist Kathryn
W. Davis is not only NetJets’
most golden Owner, she has
also led a truly remarkable life
in and out of the public eye. As
an international voice for the
cause of world peace, aviation
has played a pivotal role in her
life from the very beginning.
NetJets: When you were growing up, civilian aviation was
still something of a novelty. Do you have any memories of
flying from when you were a little girl?
Kathryn W. Davis: I’ve actually been flying all my life,
practically. I remember traveling with my father when I was
a very young girl, accompanying him on business trips to
Europe. We first traveled by steamship but soon began flying.
This was the way to go! Imagine traveling the same distance
in just one day that used to take a week. And so much comfort
and elegance; in those days, flying was a fairly grand event. I like
to say I was a jet-setter before there were jets!
NJ: Do you still travel on commercial airplanes sometimes?
KWD: I recently went to China on a commercial flight, but I
used private jets to travel regionally when I got there. I am a
huge fan of NetJets.
NJ: Your husband, Shelby Cullom Davis, was an
investment banker who eventually became the U.S.
ambassador to Switzerland. How did you two meet?
KWD: We met on an express train to Geneva in 1930, as we
were both going to a conference on disarmament. I asked him
if Geneva was the next stop. We later earned our Doctorates
at the University of Geneva. We met on the go, and pretty
much never stopped moving.
NJ: Where did you travel with your husband?
KWD: We traveled everywhere, but to Switzerland often. Also,
the Far East, Moscow … I celebrated my 80th birthday in India.
We’ve been to Japan many times. Some of the travel was
for business, but we also traveled to see the world; there is
always something you can learn when you travel.
NJ: Did the pace change after your husband was appointed
as Ambassador to Switzerland by Richard Nixon?
KWD: Yes, life got even busier – more social and more formal.
And we traveled even more as a diplomatic family. We were
in Switzerland for six years during the Cold War and Vietnam.
Switzerland is the European home for the U.N., and I think all
of those elements had a profound effect on me.
NJ: You’ve committed millions of dollars in philanthropy
to the cause of world peace. Why are you so passionate
about it?
KWD: My charity work is a big part of my life now. If we don’t
have peace, what do we have? I’ve been around a long, long
time, and I still see that the world is in danger. War can still
destroy everything we have, everything we are.
NJ: How has NetJets helped your efforts?
KWD: We began using NetJets 14 years ago, and my reaction
was the same as the first time I flew with my father as a little
girl: this is the way to go! I travel around the United States
often to check in on projects we fund and meet with groups
that support the cause of world peace. Flying privately has
enabled me to stay active, comfortable, and involved.
NJ: Most of the Owners we talk to have special NetJets
stories. Do you?
KWD: Well, probably the most special thing I associate with
NetJets was traveling with my dog, a five-pound Maltese named
Teaser. Everyone treated my dog so nicely, it was such a delight.
Teaser recently passed away at 17, but now I travel with Teaser Too,
and we both look forward to many more trips with NetJets.
NJ: Now, of course, I have to ask you this question: What
is your secret to living such a long and happy life?
KWD: I tell people the first thing they need to do is carefully
select their parents! Genetics, of course, plays a big role. But
my advice to a long and happy life is this: don’t be a spectator.
Find something that drives you, something you love and follow
it and use it. Use your life.
THE DAVIS PROJECTS FOR PEACE
Each year since 2007, Kathryn W. Davis has contributed $1 million
to fund 100 projects by college students who design grassroots
projects that promote conflict resolution, reconciliation, building
understanding, and maintaining peace. The projects judged to be
the most promising and doable are funded at $10,000 each. The
objective is to encourage and support today’s motivated youth to
create and try out their own ideas for building peace. Learn more
at DavisProjectsforPeace.org.
Top: At a park Mrs. Davis helped restore through Scenic Hudson, a group dedicated
to protecting and restoring the Hudson River, its riverfront, and the majestic vistas and
working landscapes beyond its shores. She was joined by a second grade class learning
about the environment.
Middle left: With Teaser Too in early 2012 at the Jupiter Island Mutt Masters dog show.
Middle right & Bottom: Kayaking with Scenic Hudson in June 2011 during a site review.
Names and photos printed with permission.
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