Скачать или смотреть Captain Theresa Claiborne – Breaking Barriers in the Skies

Captain Theresa Claiborne – Breaking Barriers in the Skies ..... Dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of Captain Theresa Claiborne, a true trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings in aviation. Born into a military family, Theresa made history in 1982 as the first Black woman pilot in the U.S. Air Force, graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training and excelling as an instructor on the KC-135 Stratotanker. Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, she served with distinction for seven years on active duty and 13 in the Reserves.
In 1990, she transitioned to United Airlines, where she spent an incredible 34 years flying nearly every major Boeing aircraft—from the classic 727 and 737 to her beloved 747 (which she piloted with just her fingertips) and the modern 787 Dreamliner. Amassing over 23,000 flight hours, she upgraded to captain on the 757/767 in 2018 and commanded the Dreamliner until her retirement in May 2024. Her final flight was a memorable round-trip from Newark to Lisbon, complete with a water cannon salute and celebrations honoring her groundbreaking career.
At a time when diversity in aviation remains a critical conversation, Captain Claiborne's story went viral, highlighting the unyielding standards of the industry: "No one is hired out of charity—you're qualified, or you're not." Today, women make up only about 6-7% of U.S. airline pilots, and Black women are exceptionally rare, with fewer than 150 holding key certifications nationwide.
As co-founder and president of Sisters of the Skies (sistersoftheskies.org), a nonprofit dedicated to mentorship, scholarships, outreach, and building pathways for Black women in aviation, Captain Claiborne continues to inspire the next generation. Through programs like Girls Rock Wings and annual scholarships, the organization is working to change those numbers and ensure more young women of color can say, "If I can see it, I can be it."
This video celebrates her resilience, excellence, and unwavering commitment to opening doors for others. Captain Theresa Claiborne didn't just fly planes—she soared beyond barriers and paved the way for future aviators.
If this story inspired you, like, subscribe, and share! What barriers have you overcome in your career? Drop a comment below.

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