Black Women in Aviation (AFW Jan/Feb 2022)
by Liz Booker
Originally published in Aviation for Women Magazine’s Jan/Feb 2022 issue
For Black History Month in February, the Aviatrix Book Club is kicking off the 2022 reading list with two books that celebrate the contributions of Black women pilots. In January we’ll discuss Colonel Merryl Tengesdal’s memoir, Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me about Self-Worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline. This issue’s article about Col. Tengesdal offers a preview of what you’ll find in the book. In February, we’ll discuss A Pair of Wings, an historical fiction novel based on the life of Bessie Coleman, by United Airlines First Officer, Carole Hopson. Sales of both books support charities—partial proceeds from Shatter the Sky support the Pace Center for Girls, and A Pair of Wings supports the 100 Pairs of Wings Project, which aims to send 100 African American women to the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Flight Academy, a part of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, by the year 2035. You can find several other adult and children’s books featuring Bessie Coleman on the Aviatrix Book Review website www.aviatrixbookreview.com
Join virtual book discussions via the Aviatrix Book Club Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/aviatrixbookclub, and look for interviews with the authors on the Aviatrix Book Review website and Podcast.
Other books by or featuring women of color to look for this Black History Month include:
The Aviatrix Mindset, by Dawn Cook.
Airline pilot, life coach, and Female Aviators Sticking Together (F.A.S.T.) President, Dawn Cook, celebrated the launch of The Aviatrix Mindset: Stop Stalling and Start Soaring in Every Aspect of Life in September 2021. In the book, she guides you through 3 simple steps to take control of your life, achieve your goals and create the life you are meant to have. She uses proven aviation techniques and provides you with life-long learning.
101 Trailblazing Women of Air and Space: Aviators andAstronauts, by Dr. Penny Rafferty Hamilton.
Pilot, aviation educator, and Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame member, Dr. Penny Rafferty Hamilton, launched 101 Trailblazing Women of Air and Space: Aviators and Astronauts in October of 2021.The book features historic female pilots and women astronauts from America, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, and Russia. With over 110 unique photographs of International women aviators and female space history makers, the book is filled with powerful and inspiring true stories of International women aviators and female astronauts from the early days of aviation to today’s astronauts.
You Look Like Me: The Flying Princess Edition, by Aaliiyah Abdur Rahman and Laura Humphries, illustrated by Taylor Hill.
Former flight attendant and aspiring airline pilot, Laura Humphries, teamed up writer Aaliiyah Abdur Rahman to create a picture book that offers young readers someone who looks like them. Launched in April 2021, “This book is dedicated to all the little black girls and boys that need more exposure to different career fields. I want to inspire, educate, and motivate. The power of seeing someone who looks like you being successful or doing something you might possibly be interested in should not be overlooked. The constant reminder that black men and women are successful and thriving should be celebrated and shown every given chance!”
