Courage to Fight for the Right to Fly: America’s First Black Flight Attendants
 |  |  |
|---|
L - R, Patricia Edmiston-Banks, Shaakira Edison, Jacqueline Jacquet-Williams
On our February 5 show we had the honor of meeting with Patricia Edmiston- Banks, the first “negro stewardess,” along with members of the Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc. (BFAOA). They will share with us their personal histories. These women had the courage to fight for their right to fly, broke the crew color barrier, and changed the course of history.
Although as early as 1941 New York state had laws on the books banning discrimination, it was not until black women trying to enter the airline work force insisted on their rights that the airlines relented. Patricia Edmiston- Banks was only 20-years-old in 1956 when she filed an historic case against Capital Airlines (now UAL) when they turned down her application based on race. She won the case in 1960. By the time the Court ordered Capital to accept Banks (or face contempt of court charges), TWA and Mohawk had already hired black flight attendants — probably to avoid the litigation they saw in the Capital case. This delay caused by the court case has hidden Patricia’s status as the first black flight attendant. While Patricia was waiting for the outcome of her case, Mohawk, a regional airlines, hired a young black woman named Ruth Taylor.
ALL the women who fought for the right to integrate crews deserve special recognition. History — and all of us who enjoy the rights they ushered in — owe them honor for their courage.
Other guests include Jacqueline Jacquet-Williams and Louise Greenwood Phipps. Jacqueline is Founder-National President, BFAOA, Inc. National LAX. She has worked for Continental Airlines as a flight attendant since 1974. Louise Greenwood Phipps, flew for United, and is currently teaching English and Math at Navy College, NAS Lemoore California.
Patricia Edmiston- Banks answered this advertisement and completed training at the Grace Downs Air Career School in 1956, but had to fight a four year battle in court against Capital Air before she could fly.
BFAOA, Inc is Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc. “Serving the skies and the Community and Promoting the Legacy of Black History in Aviation.” You can find BFAOA on Facebook.
BFAOA will have their 36th Annual Convention August 4-6, 2010 @ at the Marriott Memphis, Memphis, TN.
![](https://ionosphere.box.net/shared/static/p2rp0x95yq.png")
Congratulations Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc. May you continue to receive the recognition you deserve.
Does anyone know Denise James who, I think, was with Delta Airlines in the 60s?
Congratulations to all, especially my favorite cousin Jacqueline Jacquet-Williams.
Aviation Professionals please join BFAOA, Inc. (is Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc.) “Serving the Skies and the Community” and “Promoting the Legacy of Black History in Aviation”
also
If you know Black Flight Attendants hired prior to 1970 they are “Legends” and we’d like to know who they are, and how to contact them.
SAVE THE DATE: Black Aviation Professional Organizations Convention August 4-6 2010
Marriott Memphis, TN.
bfaoa@aol.com
This was an excellenct interview that I stumbled upon because I wanted to see who the first black fight attendant was. I am a flight attendant who has only been flying for 5 years. This was such a wealth of information and I am definitely going to join the BFOA so that I may work that organization into my lifestyle. During my time off, I volunteer at a christian school and teach dance and coordinate community events. I hope to get some information about recruiting in the inner city schools. Thank you so much for your excellent choice of topics!! Keep up the good work!