Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Theresa Claiborne, First Black Woman Pilot in the U.S. Air Force
Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman to serve as a pilot in the United States Air Force, will be sharing insights into her groundbreaking military career in a discussion at 6 p.m. on March 26 at SIU Student Center Ballroom B. The event, hosted by John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, is open to the public, with a reception scheduled at 5 p.m. in the John W. Corker Lounge. No pre-registration is required, but it is encouraged.
Claiborne's journey to becoming a pilot and the valuable lessons she learned about leadership, perseverance, and overcoming barriers in public service will be the focal points of the conversation. She will also touch on the significance of expanding opportunities in aviation and the armed forces.
Having been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1981, Claiborne made history in September 1982 as the Air Force's first Black woman to serve as a command pilot and instructor for the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. After leaving active duty in 1988, she continued her aviation career in the Air Force Reserves, eventually retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1993 with over 3,000 military flight hours.
Transitioning to commercial aviation, Claiborne joined United Airlines in 1990 as a first officer, becoming the second Black woman pilot at the airline. Over her 34-year career, she logged more than 23,000 flight hours, achieving the rank of captain on the Boeing 757/767 in 2018 and later transitioning to the Boeing 787 in 2021.
With a degree in communications and a minor in journalism from California State University, Sacramento, Claiborne has been actively involved in various aviation organizations. She is the president emeritus of Sisters of the Skies, a nonprofit dedicated to creating pathways for Black women in aviation, a board member of the Grand Dames of Aviation, and a past board member of the National WASP WW II Aviation Museum in Sweetwater, Texas.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true trailblazer in the aviation industry and gain insights into her remarkable career and contributions to the field.